Before anyone reads the title of this blog post and panics: No, we are not ready to facilitate the weaning of Yun Zi from his mother!

Our littlest panda is just over a year of age. When he is closer to the traditional age of 18 months, we will aid Bai Yun in weaning her offspring, but I have seen in the comments of recent postings that there have been several questions about the separation process. Here I will attempt to respond to some of those inquiries.

Is Bai Yun weaning Yun Zi earlier than her other cubs?
This is an extremely difficult question to answer. The fact is, we don’t know with certainty how wild pandas wean their offspring. Is it a slow, gradual increase in separation time that culminates in a mother bear deciding not to reunite with her cub? Is it an abrupt end to an otherwise pleasant social pairing? Researchers have noted with other bear species that cubs have been driven off by males in order to mate with the mother. Another option is that mothers drive their cubs away on their own. Either way, parent-offspring conflict is a force in separating mother from offspring. In truth, wild panda weaning has not been documented. We do know that young pandas begin experiencing long absences by their mother at an early age. Bai Yun has certainly taken the opportunity to spend hours on end distant from Yun Zi, in the same way she has done with previous cubs.

Does Bai Yun refuse to nurse Yun Zi, and is this evidence of weaning?
In short: yes. Yun Zi does not nurse as frequently as he did when very young. This is a natural mammalian progression that changes due to the increasing capacity of the offspring’s stomach. However, at a year of age, Yun Zi has probably developed the teeth necessary to feed on bamboo (there hasn’t been a recent cub exam to say for sure), which means he can begin ingesting some of his routine calories from the plant that will become his staple. This is the beginning of the end of maternal dependence for Yun Zi. As he takes in more bamboo, his need for mother’s milk will diminish. Mind you, I said his need will diminish, but his desire for milk will not easily abate: hence, parent-offspring conflict. Human or bear, offspring typically want more of their mother than mother is willing to give.

What behaviors suggest Bai Yun is ready for weaning to occur?
Parent-offspring conflict takes many forms. In the past, Bai Yun will refuse nursing, or terminate bouts of nursing more frequently. She may become more aggressive about guarding her bamboo stash as she feeds or become rougher during play with her cub. But she will be prevented from putting real distance between herself and Yun Zi because she lives in a facility with barriers to her natural tendency to move about. Unlike her wild counterparts, she cannot simply walk away. This is why we must step in and facilitate weaning at the appropriate time.

For the mother panda, rearing of young is a balancing act. The female must weigh the costs and benefits of investing in her offspring. The benefits seem obvious to us: a healthy panda cub that grows and reproduces, passing on that mother’s genes to the next generation. The costs may be more subtle in our zoo setting, but they are still very real to Bai Yun: the energy required to gestate, birth, lactate, and rear offspring takes an enormous toll on the female body. At some point, the female needs to break free from the energetic demands of her youngster and reallocate her resources to ensure her own survival. Without doing so, she may not achieve her optimal reproductive fitness; that is to say, she may not succeed at having as many viable offspring—capable of having their own cubs—as she might otherwise. Protecting her own health and well-being is an investment in a mother’s future progeny.

As you watch the interplay between Bai Yun and Yun Zi over the coming months, keep in mind the conflict that is developing below the surface. Understand that there is no natural resolution to that conflict in a zoo setting without our involvement. If we don’t open and close a few doors, Bai Yun will be unable to fully reallocate her resources to her own personal well-being. And we all know the adage, “If Momma ain’t happy…”

RELATED POSTS

215 Reader Comments

Thank you Suzanne for not only a very informative article but equally humorous as well. I enjoyed reading it and appreciate your time and efforts to educate all of us panda -natics!!
Linda

LJ

Posted September 30, 2010 at 10:17 AM

Suzanne, thank you for explaining this, it clears things up for me. It will be interesting to watch the process as it unfolds. I appreciate your time and the other panda staffers time in educating us on panda behaviors, its very interesting.

Danielle, NY

Posted September 30, 2010 at 10:30 AM

Suzanne, thank you so much for such an interesting posting. It is true that for certain aspects of panda’s life, we still know very little. I was surprised that Fu Long was over two years old when he left his mother and Vienna, without any obvious frictions between him and his mommy, Yang Yang. I know that the zoo did not have room to separate them but if it is in the mother’s instinct to chase her cub away at a certain age, it might not be as early as we think, i.e. 18 month. If I remember correctly, in the plans for the reintroduction of pandas in the wild, they are planning to keep cubs and mothers together in semi-wilderness until the cubs are three years old.

Don’t miss today’s update about Su Lin and Zhen Zhen by Chet, #221 Chet (currently in Bifengxia Panda Base) on http://blogs.sandiegozoo.org/blog/2010/09/25/make-us-proud-su-and-zhen/ So much for sisterly love!! It reminds me of their encounter between Su Lin and Zhen Zhen at the howdy gate at the SDZ… Perhaps it is a normal behavior for females in the wild who would want to scare off the female competitors for encounter/mating with males.

Toni

Posted September 30, 2010 at 10:42 AM

Well this will be interesting to watch for sure! The pics I have of Yun Zi in June showed he has some teeth. Nibbling on the wood just as cute as he could be.

I think he will be just as entertaining when he gets his own space. I wonder if it is different weaning males vs. females from mom? Or if it is what it is?

Amanda

Posted September 30, 2010 at 10:46 AM

Thank you Suzanne for clearing up the title of the blog at the very beginning. SDZ always provides great information to educate us all. Will you let us know when the “official” weaning process begins? I know it’s still a few months away but I’d like to come out and visit Mother/Son one last time together.

Danielle, NY

Posted September 30, 2010 at 10:55 AM

Ooops, I forgot to add this to my previous posting:
From what Chet is writing, Mrs. Qu, did not receive videos of the girls, or advance warning about the girls’ “normal” behaviors and did not know what to expect. Sad that Su Lin doesn’t have a big tree to climb on in her enclosure.

LJ

Posted September 30, 2010 at 10:58 AM

#3 Danielle: thank you for directing us to Chet’s post. I would have missed it for sure. I just can’t get enough information about how the girls are doing, I miss seeing them on the cam.

Deborah (No. Calif)

Posted September 30, 2010 at 10:58 AM

Suzanne: This is such a charming and informative explanation of what is known about the weaning process with panda cubs. Thank you so much for sharing this with us so we can have an idea of what is taking place down the road. We “hooman” pandafans will, of course, view it with sadness. But from Bai’s standpoint, it will be just part of her panda motherhood routine — a very necessary part as you have described it. And Yun Zi will move on to another stage of growing to adulthood… sigh…

kathy from canada

Posted September 30, 2010 at 11:05 AM

#3 – Danielle: Maybe Su is just nervous being in an unfamiliar place and barked before she bothered to sniff. She would remember ZZ’s scent. Poor ZZ. I’m disappointed to read that the new keeper wasn’t briefed on the girls though – their habits, likes and dislikes. It would make her job a lot easier if she new what the girls responded to.

Maybe Chet can fill her in as she knows the girls.

Frances in NYC

Posted September 30, 2010 at 11:08 AM

Danielle–thanks for checking the earlier blogs for Chet’s comments. In one, though she says Su Lin is settling in better than Zhennie and then she says the opposite in another comment. Guess they don’t know that Zhennie is a ball of energy who loves to run and climb. She’s not being excitable, that’s just Zhennie.

Too bad about Su scaring ZZ though.

Thanks for the weaning info, Suzanne.

And I see a new camera being installed and tested?

Bobbie Wood

Posted September 30, 2010 at 11:20 AM

Thank you Suzanne. The article is, as always, excellent. I can remember viewing the energetic ‘training’ sessions Bai Yun and Zhen Zhen had. I am looking forward to watching Yun Zi participating more frequently as well. He seems so large when up in his hammock or posing for the fans while reclining like a prince on the top of the cave. It is not until he is playing with Bai that I see e still has lots of growing to do. These next months are going to be a pleasure to watch.

Dianna from Ohio

Posted September 30, 2010 at 11:58 AM

I wonder if the different personalities of the cubs influence how they react when Bai discourages nursing. Since Yunnie is my first, I don’t know how the other four behaved. Did ZZ act more indifferent since she has been the more independent cub? Yunnie has been described as very laid back. Maybe he’ll just shrug his little panda shoulders, grab some boo and move on?

I would think that Bai’s body would need ample time to recover from calcium depletion as well?

Thanks Suzanne for your interesting blog. For alot of us first timers, it will be very interesting to watch how this plays out.

Heidi

Posted September 30, 2010 at 12:42 PM

Suzanne,

I ended reading your blog with a good chuckle. The whole article took me back to when I was weaning my own kids, and it all makes a lot of sense! 😉

P Wong

Posted September 30, 2010 at 12:51 PM

Conversation with Gao Gao #84

Tourist: Hello, Gao Gao.
Gao Gao: Hello, Mr. Tourist.
T: Is this another one of your smelly product lists?
G: No, not this time. I’m producing a dictionary of smells.
T: Huh?
G: See, smell this.
T: Mmmm. Mango?
G: Yup. Then this.
T: Some kind of strong walnut…
G: WET walnut, to be precise. Like fresh walnuts after a gentle rain.
T: Interesting.
G: And this?
T: Very ripe papaya.
G: Now try this one.
T: Hmmm. Not sure.
G: Fu Long sent me this scent marking.
T: So what does it say?
G: I’m not sure, but it sounds like “shprek-hen zee deutsch.”
T: Oh, he means, “Do you speak German?”
G: Well, Tai Shan said he attracted some number of ladies with it.
T: The ladies know German?
G: Maybe they learned from visiting tourists.

Suzanne, very informative and helpful that this info was brought up prior to Little Cloud’s weaning… though, I always thought “weaning” was a slow process. It seems when Zhennie was weaned from Mom Bai, it was suddenly- door closed between them and that was it! Not less and less time until the final day.

Am I wrong? Because that is just plain inhumane! Especially, when China does it differently and we don’t know how mom weans in the wild.

Good Lord, I just saw Yunior standing on poor Bai’s neck! The heavier he gets I can totally understand Bai wanting to get some “Mom-ME” time. Which makes me think of another question: What kinds of activities do the keepers give Bai Yun when she’s not close to Yunior. Does she still get some special keeper time when Yunior is asleep?

LJ

Posted September 30, 2010 at 2:08 PM

WOW, the video on the hearing study is GREAT. I am so proud of the girls for doing such a good job. It was nice to see their beautiful faces again.

Danielle, NY

Posted September 30, 2010 at 2:11 PM

#14 P Wong – When you put it that way, Bi Feng Xia sounds like the Tower of Babel!! You made me laugh, and I really need that, the weather is miserable here…
It also reminds me of my first days in Germany when I was trying all the languages that I knew to try to make myself understood and to try to understand other people…
A good thing that, in really live, the pandas have their own language and ways to understand each other; it is just us, hoomans, trying to make them understand our own languages…

LJ

Posted September 30, 2010 at 2:18 PM

I’m watching the cam right now, is it raining there? because it sure looks like its pouring.

Moderator’s note: It has been raining off and on today.

Suzanne

Posted September 30, 2010 at 2:25 PM

Kat #15,

When the time comes to finally separate the cub from his mother, we will utilize a multi-step approach to acclimate each bear to increasingly longer time spent apart. This is a protocol we have used in the past, and it takes several weeks to accomplish. It’s not cold turkey!

deb

Posted September 30, 2010 at 2:32 PM

Complete heartbreak! I know this is the panda blog but I just heard the news gorilla Alvila passed away this morning. Rest in peace beautiful girl.

Moderator’s note: Yes, she will be missed!

Reenie from Atlanta

Posted September 30, 2010 at 2:48 PM

Kristi #18….I saw Yunior standing on her head while she was sound asleep…..it worried me, because Bai did not even flinch. He kind of stepped around on her head and neck and she just laid there. That’s some kind of tired……

Karen of Chandler

Posted September 30, 2010 at 2:50 PM

Thank you Suzanne for an interesting blog about weaning panda cubs. It is very informative.

Dianna from Ohio

Posted September 30, 2010 at 3:15 PM

Wow.. Bonus afternoon. New blog about weaning and video about the hearing study. Yes.. I did do some work today after the database came back up!!

I had to watch the video twice.. . Excellent example of using a clicker. I loved how the girls would rest their chin on the “chin holder” and then would be all excited to touch the target after they heard the tone. I couldn’t tell who was who but I did hear Kathy call the last panda Zhen Zhen. I did wonder what hand signal Kathy was giving Zhennie at the very end. Was she asking Zhennie to “watch her” when she held her finger up or was she just shoving her hat up from her eyes? Will Yunnie particpate? Maybe get a young cub perspective? Will China continue to conduct the hearing tests with the girls? I think tests like this is excellent enrichment for the Pandas as well as wonderful data gathered by the keepers!!

Britney

Posted September 30, 2010 at 3:16 PM

Yesterday, I got a panda book called “Panda Kindergartin”! But today my “pesky” cat knocked over my other bamboo plant I had on my dresser. I put it in a glass “vase” I had. I am going to get another one like it soon. 😀

Britney

Posted September 30, 2010 at 3:19 PM

Is Su Lin and Zhen Zhen in their permanent exhibit yet? Or are they awaiting her permanent exhibit?

Carol L

Posted September 30, 2010 at 3:19 PM

Just my own feeling no real data to back it up but I think weaning is harder for little boys pandas.

Jeslyn

Posted September 30, 2010 at 3:45 PM

While watching Molly, the owl, here in San Diego County, she has chased off her previous clutch when they come back to visit. Guess mother’s in the wild tend to do that so they can handle their current babies.

Britney

Posted September 30, 2010 at 3:52 PM

Here is a story.

Yun Zi’s Scary Trick

Yun Zi plans on a big trick for Halloween. He gets out his momma’s nice dress she bought at the mall for $200 and he pokes holes in it and runs behind the door. He is wearing her dress and has a old hoodie he ripped from his new jacket he got for winter. He waits for momma to go in her room to change, and she shuts the door and out Yun Zi pops out and causes mom a big scare. She not used to tricks like that (because this is the first time Yun Zi had played a trick like that on her involving her cloths :0 )

She runs to the kitchen and acidently knocks over her dinner that was cooking on the stove. Her bamboo rice and bamboo shoot meal fell on the floor and mom hid in the cabinet and hoped he would not find her. She was covered in food. And she didn’t know that was her dress, YET. She finally braves up and grabs her phone, and calls Gao Gao which was at work at that time. She called him to arive earler than planned, he rushed home and finally found out what was going on. She said ” there is a zombie in my bedroom, please go and get him out of HERE!” says terrifiled Bai Yun.

He heads to the room and grabs “zombie” by the scruff, and spills the news ” IT’s Yun Zi” Bai Yun says in a stren voice “that’s my new dress that cost $200″ and grabs her ripped up dress and throws it in her bedroom and points dad and Yun Zi to the mall, it is time to get another dress NOW!!! maybe two” Hungry little Yun Zi and Dad go to the food court and eat away while Bai Yun has dad’s credit card and buys not 1 not 2 but 4 new dresses!!!

The End

Danielle, NY

Posted September 30, 2010 at 4:21 PM

If you missed Yun Zi standing on Bai Yun’s head and neck, our savior, DoxieMom, is there for the rescue!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/
Who needs to go to the Spa for a massage with such a boy!!
It seems that either Yun Zi did not read the blog and doesn’t know that his mommy is going to send him off more often as he gets older, or he wants to check Suzanne’s theory and proof us wrong, mommy is not ready to send him off!!
Don’t miss the second video of the day showing Yun Zi’s perfect dismount; he gets a 10 from me for that!!

kat w

Posted September 30, 2010 at 4:53 PM

Dear Suzanne and Moderator-thank you for setting me straight. Since Zhennie was my first baby, and the blog and site were all new to me, thinking back, I wasn’t all that observant to the blogs. I was taking screen shot after screen shot on my Mac of little baby Zhennie, going crazy over her and driving co-workers nuts. I didn’t read the blog posts on her weaning process, I am very ashamed to say….which tells me to be more observant indeed! Well, I am now. However, back then, I got so upset, thinking the weaning process WAS cold turkey (tho now I can’t figure how I could ever think SDZoo and co. would ever handle weaning that way!) I even swore I wouldn’t watch the cams anymore…..needless to say, that idea was very short lived. The pandas are too captivating and such a drug, they are much too difficult to quit…… there is no remedy. I just pray, in 2013, the program will continue at SDZoo, after this most recent contract is up, because….again….there is no cure for panda love……

Margaret in VA

Posted September 30, 2010 at 6:21 PM

Thanks, Suzanne, for getting all of us ready for inevitable rite of passage from cubhood to adolescence that will be coming in the next 6 months. It is always a heart wrenching time for humans, but a natural process for the pandas. I know it has helped me over the past two weaning processes to understand the physiology and psychology behind the behavior from the pandas and their keepers.

Marie

Posted September 30, 2010 at 7:20 PM

LOVE that hearing study video! Thanks for the heads up Dianna! I made some kind of sound, might’ve been a whimper, when I saw Zhennie. I miss her so this was great!

GRAMMMIE

Posted September 30, 2010 at 7:32 PM

#3 and #32 DANIELLE, NY I bet the barking at the fence could be cleared up with just a few words….Su Lin is still getting over the headache for the “spin” she took in the crate when Zhen Zhen was driving the forklift. It may take Su some time to get over that. Then there may be some jealousy over the tree situation. Su has more but ZZ has a largle o ne, and we all know Su Likes to move and redecorate with the big ones…..the little ones don’t stand a chance. I agree with your dismount “10”, loved the videos.

It is a pity that the keeper did not get a good briefing on the girl’s panda habits so that she might understand them better….but not to worry the girls will have her trained their way soon enough.

P WONG as allways a great conversation with the bears—-please do not ever siop.

#28 BRITNEY Like when an animal comes to our zoo, pandas going to China spend a month in quaranteen. This is to assure that no diseases are sjpread from zoo to zoo……a very good idea don’t you think???? Thank you for the story.

Annie Panda

Posted September 30, 2010 at 7:36 PM

Thank you Suzanne for the post! It’s hard to believe that Yun Zi will have to be separated from Bai in just a few months!

Grace

Posted September 30, 2010 at 10:05 PM

Just watched the panda hearing study video, and it was fascinating! (Also I love watching the close bond Su Lin has with keeper Kathy.) Thanks for posting the video!

Thank you for the post, Suzanne. It will be interesting to observe our pandas, LH and LP on their weaning too and your article will come in handy as a guideline.

As a panda behavior observer, I found many distinctive conditions about CMZ and SDZ. The reactions of each panda to the different stimulator intrigue me the most.

At SDZ, the pandas live in the close-to-nature-set-up environment, only the panda cams are not available for us observer to be able to watch and hear them all the time. Many times I wonder what’s going on when the panda’s off the cam. The articles from the SDZ panda experts have helped me to see and hear of what I can’t access.

On the other hand, CMZ can only provide limited spaces for their pandas, due to the tropical climate. The situation has become part of the research study on pandas adjusting to the environment. Every details of their behaviors were recorded by the keepers. Daily bamboos, fruits and panda snack will be calculated base on panda’s weight and measured to meet the proper amount to each panda. Once Dr. Koi explained about how they analysed the nutrients from different kinds of bamboos and then picked the most nutritious one for our pandas.

CMZ panda team may lack of experiences compare to SDZ panda team but they do consult with the Chinese panda team all the time. I heard that Thai zoological team are also in touch with the SDZ, recently our panda team just asked for the panda exhibit structural blue print from the SDZ. I guess they’ve planned for some change in the near future.

Our 24/7 live panda channel allows us to see and hear their body and vocal languages. I remembered someone here mentioned about the pandas’ vocalization. I heard the voice of LP when she wanted nursing. I heard the three pandas making sound like “unk unk” when they felt uncomfortable. When LP’s younger, she did bark when confronted with stranger. The “unk unk” sound came later at about her 1st birthday. CC made the goat-like sound very often, especially when he saw a familiar face. It likes a greeting word for panda.

In summary, I don’t and never judge which zoo does their job better. I strongly believe they do their best for pandas (and other animals too).

Last but not least, I found the video shows LP in her cute, funny and perhaps sexy sitting pose, watch it at 1.29, 3.30 and 6.10 . At 6.22 you’ll also see LP plays the slide. Have fun….;)

Ying Ying is fully recovered and moved back to his “dorm”. His roommates are his twin sister NiNi and Qi Fu.

Panda Fan

Posted October 1, 2010 at 1:15 AM

Forgot the link:

blog (dot) sina (dot) com (dot) cn/s/blog_49246d360100lqkq.html

Linda

Posted October 1, 2010 at 5:06 AM

Thank you, thank you sooooooooo so much for posting the video of the hearing study. I have wanted to see this so badly! The pandas looked like they were really enjoying it – so fascinating! How wonderful that Su Lin and Zhen Zhen have already made such a contribution to providing knowledge about and helping to conserve their species. And I know that they have more and more wonderful contributions to make in the form of little pandas!

Thanks also for this informative post about the weaning process. I can’t believe how big little Yunior has become

kathy from canada

Posted October 1, 2010 at 5:42 AM

New photos of the girls posted by Chet this morning!! They look so good and I miss them so much!

There is a video on PBS stations called PANDA NURSERY which follows the birth and weaning of panda cubs at Wolong Center. The two cubs were removed from their Mother and weaned at six months. And it seems the adult females are bred every year, where “our” pandas are bred every other year.

I understand the need to propagate the species but was wondering if this is the norm for pandas in the wild and is it detrimental to their overall health to give birth so often?

Dianna from Ohio

Posted October 1, 2010 at 9:14 AM

#32 Danielle: What is it with Yunnie and Lin Ping? Both this week are standing on their Mom’s head/neck… At least Bai can be thankful that Yunnie doesn’t weigh 125 lbs like LP!!!

Dianna from Ohio

Posted October 1, 2010 at 9:43 AM

#23 deb and moderator: I’m sorry to hear about Avilia. Hopefully one of the gorilla keepers will write a post about her for the folks who didn’t know her (me) and the folks who do…. I guess this is what they call the “circle of life”… I heard this morning that Columbus Zoo has a new baby gorilla born on Wednesday…

Dianna from Ohio

Posted October 1, 2010 at 9:46 AM

Hi Weegee: What does the “ah” stand for? If you tell me it means “little” I think I will have to laugh..

If I remember correctly, you had mentioned that LP might be weaned earlier and go to China when she’s two years old? Is that the agreement with China? I’m just curious because our agreement is they go back when they are three years old…

Danielle, NY

Posted October 1, 2010 at 10:50 AM

#41, 42 and 45 Panda Fan – Thank you so much for the update and link to the story and pictures of Ying Ying. It is funny that he went on top of the bench in their inside enclosure and his sister came to check on him, she was probably wondering where her brother had gone, unless she witnessed his fall and knew he was in trouble. He looks good, seems to have a good appetite and was probably happy to see his sister and roommate, Qi Fu, again, but he didn’t seem to have learned much, climbing on the side of his indoor enclosure so quickly!! As I wrote earlier, he may not even remember that he fell. I hope the hair on his ears will grow back. For those of you who may not know all the pandas at Chengdu, Qi Fu’s twin sister, Qi Miao, is the female panda that will be going to Macau. They are the daughters of Qi Yuan, and granddaughters of Mei Mei.

Frances in NYC

Posted October 1, 2010 at 10:53 AM

Chet and Danielle–thanks for the new Su and Zhennie pictures. Bifengxia’s newest teddy bear, indeed! XOXOXO!

It’s also interesting that Su Lin is the oldest “returnee” cub and Zhennie is the youngest.

And thanks, pandafan, for the pictures of “Iron Head”–he seems to be doing just fine after the heroic treatment by the caretakers.

The hearing study video is great too.

So much good panda news!

Marilyn in California

Posted October 1, 2010 at 11:17 AM

I think Fu Long was the youngest returnee cub. He was 2.

Danielle, NY

Posted October 1, 2010 at 11:19 AM

#47 Dianna from Ohio – Pandas’ mothers seem to be putting up with a lot of abuses from their cubs, but eventually it is payback time when mamas have enough and put the cubs back into their places!! LOL.

#49 Dianna from Ohio – The agreements with the zoos are not all the same. It also depends on space. The Zoo in Vienna send Fu Long to China when he was nearly 27 months old, because they had no room to keep him apart from his mother and they want her to have cub(s) this year. From what we hear from Weegee, it seems that there is a problem with space in Thailand as well, so that might be the reason for sending Lin Ping to China when she is two. I have been thinking that it will be a problem to find a place for Lin Ping in Bi Feng Xia, she was born early in the season, May 27, and on top of that she is much bigger than other cubs at the same age. Even if she is going in an enclosure with cubs nearly one year older than her, she might be bigger than them!! Last night I was watching the videos from September 29 to see what Weegee was writing about the way that Lin Ping is sitting and I watched “Lin Ping Daily Hi-Light#2-290910” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6bDcWqu_Bc She seems to make progress on her training, given a panda doll, 2:05, you can imagine how she might treat other cubs!!! Starting at 3:30 you can see the position that Weegee mentioned. And even when her mother was sick from what she ate at her birthday party, Lin Ping tries to get a reaction out of her poor mother, starting at 5:25. The keepers eventually separated Lin Ping from her poor mother.

Amanda

Posted October 1, 2010 at 12:05 PM

#40 Weegee – Thanks for your updates on the Panda’s at CMZ. Watching the cams daily and have noticed more and more seperation time between LP & LH. Last night the Keepers/Vet had her walk into a small cage and were checking her over. Is she o.k? I know she was ill after her birthday celebration this week. Was it just a follow-up perhaps? Interesting that they also coaxed LP into the tiny cage as well. Later, they called LH off exhibit, while LP was snoozing, and took her through the tunnel and to their older cages. Hope she’s doing well today.

Danielle, NY

Posted October 1, 2010 at 12:07 PM

If you are looking for an interesting and challenging reading for the weekend, may I suggest: “La réintroduction de pandas captifs dans le milieu naturel” (The reintroduction of captive pandas in their natural milieu) posted on www(dot)pandas(dot)fr/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=479:la-reintroduction-de-pandas-captifs-dans-le-milieu-naturel&catid=44:fiche-didentite-categorie&Itemid=97
It is written in French but I checked the Google translation; it seems to be quite good, except for the title of the section just under the maps, it is the section about the location noted D on the map. The three following sections are about locations A, B and C on the map and in that order. It is a very interesting article, and I like the system of links to related articles.

Frances in NYC

Posted October 1, 2010 at 12:23 PM

Marilyn #52–of course, you are right. I got that info from a translation of one of the articles about the girls’ journey to China, but maybe it really said Zhennie was the youngest U.S. returnee? Or among the youngest cub returnees? Reading the translations sometimes requires a bit of figuring out.

Cheryl

Posted October 1, 2010 at 12:38 PM

Thank you P.Wong — I needed the giggle – our Padres are playing horribly, the weather is a hot, sticky mess and I am buried at work. Luckily, our fuzzy Yunnie is looking very cute right now sleeping in his hammock!

Shirley

Posted October 1, 2010 at 1:10 PM

I’m so glad that the panda cam is focusing on Gao Gao’s face now. He’s ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!

Britney

Posted October 1, 2010 at 2:06 PM

Grammmie, I do think that is a smart idea. It is good to think about the pandas health above showing off their pandas. You are welcome for the story. I am planning on geting another bamboo plant this week, or maybe two! 😀 I have 9 total bamboos, even though yesterday my cat broke my nice bamboo pot. I put it in another glass pot I had. I am going to get a ‘replacement’ bamboo soon. 😀 I forgive my cat.

Lesley

Posted October 1, 2010 at 6:02 PM

Thank you for the video on the hearing study. It’s just amazing how you can train the pandas to respond so clearly and reliably when they hear a tone. In my work I test hearing on young (human) children, and I am going to forward the video link to my co-workers. I think we can pick up some tips from your panda keepers and smart pandas LOL!

Virginia Spiegler

Posted October 1, 2010 at 7:35 PM

Danielle and Chet thank you for all the info on weaning and Chet, I was so glad to see the pics of Zhennie and Su. Do you know yet who Zhennie will be sharing her area with? Does she get to accept/reject? At least she will not be alone! I find it difficult to hear that Su barked at Zhennie, and then Zhennie wanted to go up a tree! But she pursued, so I think it was a warning, not an anger. There seemed to be much loving activity on Zhennies part and Su was up for it. I have watched those videos over and over and never saw any problems. The activity i am speaking about is the same as Yunnie makes, and X Lan too for love and attention from their mamas. She made it over and over,and Su tried to watch, standing up too. I think sometimes we make too much of “aloneness”. Watching the little ones in China, with their barking and rough housing,and bleating, doesn’t raise an alarm,it is just “speech.”I saw a
video of big brother and little sister, and big brother “knocked”at the door because his little sister wanted to go out. She had the same behaviour toward her brother. Loving. Zhennie barked three times while leaving with the keeper because they caused her pain with the shot. And she was telling them in no uncertain terms,she did not like it. A warning bark. Human babies cry. Also they are not held by their mothers. But I don’t think Su was upset by the visit. She seemed to enjoy it, and wanted out, she reached for Zhennie, not in an angry way.And Zhennie reached for her too. Oh well, that is what I believe.

Judy in Texas

Posted October 1, 2010 at 7:37 PM

Has anyone heard from our girls in China? Sure would like to know how they are doing!!!

lj

Posted October 1, 2010 at 7:43 PM

to 40 WeeGee: thank you for the link. It was fun watching the panda keeper washing and brushing the panda, she seemed to enjoy it very much. It makes me feel a little relieved that these keepers really love the pandas and take very good care of them, so I think the girls will be just fine and well taken care of. Can you imagine Zhennie getting burshed by her panda keeper OR maybe the keeper getting brushed by Zhennie make me smile just thinking about it.

Annie Panda

Posted October 1, 2010 at 8:36 PM

Wouldn’t that be so cool if Bai Yun had cubs next year? Well, she probably won’t since she has never had twins and we’re not even sure if she is going to have a cub next year. But, that would be so awesome and you could give the twins names that sound a like or rhyme! Ok well anyway, goodnight! Hope everyone had a “Panda-ful” day!
Peace, Love and Pandas CIAO!
Annie Panda 😉

Weegee

Posted October 1, 2010 at 11:41 PM

Dianna, Ohio – Ah is a Chinese word call before the person name or the relationship term such as Ah Dianna, Ah Pa (dad), Ah Ma (mom), and so on. I don’t know the meaning of it, may be Lucilla or P. Wong or anyone who knows Chinese could help answer the question. We call Lin Ping, Ah Ping because she is Chinese and it sounds kind of cute.

Dianna and Danielle – The original agreement is to send back the cub at 2 years of age but it can be re-arranged (that’s what I heard). Lin Hui and Chuang Chuang are supposed to be with us for 10 yrs and this year is their 7th in the country.

Amanda – LH is okay…and you just witnessed the beginning of the weaning process, it started yesterday October 1st, 2010. CMZ panda team prepared LH for her physical check-up. And LP was around at the time so they had a chance to train LP to be used to the squeeze cage as well. From now on, when LP’s in her sleep mode, LH will be called back to her old exhibit. Please don’t forget to watch the hi-light (1 Oct 2010), you’ll see CC peep through the howdy gate and then LH stopped by to say hello to him. It was so sweet.

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 2, 2010 at 12:59 AM

#40 WEEGEE We have our own nickname for LP….we call her Princess Lin Ping because her Keepers treat her like royalty. I love seeing them carry her down a hallway—-and wonder at their muscle mass. To be able to carry her they must have her cooperation since she has grown so much.
You are absolutely right that each zoo does the best it can with the resources they have. Our Keepers and Staff have all worked hard over the years….but with the number of cubs produced I still say there has been magic and some fairy dust at work here. We do need to get over ourselves, Bai and Gao made and had all of those lovely babies (with early help from Shi Shi, Keepers and staff) so what has happened to us and for us is not just our doing, but hard work did help. It is very nice to see that other zoos around the world are starting to have twin births, with survival, and second cubs once mom and dad can get together again. Any word yet on if Princess Lin Ping will be going to China when she is 2 years old so CC and LH can bless you with another cub?

#41/42 PANDA FAN Thank you for the update on Ying Ying, and the link you sent. The photos are adorable. I have discovered that if we want to see the most photos that we have to give our com puters time to catch up and leave the transulator off. Eventually both will work….but since I found it by sumbling i have something new tjodiscover and memorize That is not this page only, I often got just captions from this blog after the first 8 to 12 pics.
#45 I guess that “Iron Head” is better than “Mush Face”…but I still think his name should include something like “Lucky” or “Miracle” or they could even call him “The Iron Man”. Now that he is back with his sisters will they get together with the rest of the Pandas and throw a party to say thank you for the wonderful “hoomans” who saved him??? I have it on pretty good authority that our most prolific storyteller is going to be busy, perhaps P Wong and Gao Gao can help you help get things rolling. Just don’t let the Pandas get out of hand and hold a 54 hour party !!!!

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 2, 2010 at 2:19 AM

#53 DANIELLE, NY Do you mean to say you do not think Princess LIn Ping will not make a kind and gentle mommie??? Maybe she will just be a lousy roomate. The funniest part was that fuzzy nose first, I could not tell for sure if she were trying to wear it the way it had been on her adversary, or if she was experimenting with make-up equipment.
As for her size I reccommend that they give Princess Lin Ping a palace with a great big throne for her big babies to play around and on while they bother her. She could use an old quote from Princess Dianna of England…….a litle sharp remark refferring to her height about” breeding some height back into this family”.

#54 Amanda I am afraid that there is something LH doesn’t know—-if you have a one year old you do not have sick days. The poor Panda looked so miserable……I am glad they had a way to separate them to care for each of them.

#59 BRITNEY Many more Bamboo plants and you will end up called BAMBOO BRITNEY

Mary from Brooklyn

Posted October 2, 2010 at 2:36 AM

Just a quick update. We said goodbye to Tai and Fu on Thursday; there was no possible access to any of the SDZ bears then, but I did a few minutes with Mei Shen on Wednesday. Chet has the scoop on everything, although she should have gone home by now.

My trip ended unpleasantly with a dislocated and fractured pinkie and the extension part of our tour was not possible. Got emergency treatment and the joint pulled back into place. Seeing the dr. on Monday. Right now typing with full left hand and right index finger. It;s a trip and I make lots of mistakes. I’ll be fine, I think — just have to get through the healing process –two days in a splint and it’s already starting to itch.

Hao Hao is a trip — after my play session with her, I truly understand how Bai feels when YZ attacks. Fortunately, her “bites” are really play nips — ouch nips. As soon as I get caught up on some sleep and find out about my hand and all the other sore parts, I’ll get back to you.

Danielle, NY

Posted October 2, 2010 at 7:09 AM

I should have added another link to my post, #55, about the reintroduction of captive pandas in their natural milieu. During their week of training in Chengdu; the Pambassador finalists visited Du Jiang Yan, which is location C on the map in the article in French. Jeroen has posted many pictures taken during that visit www(dot)giantpandazoo(dot)com/panda/http:/www.giantpandazoo.com/pambassador-news/du-jiang-yan-china-panda-valley

I am always fascinated by panda paws; they are so big and look so well designed for the pandas eating habits. Some pandas seem to go for additional features/decorations!! If you haven’t seen Gao Gao hairy paws, even the front paws, don’t miss this video taken yesterday by DoxieMom “10-01-10 Gao Gao’s Furry Paws (Flickr video) If you haven’t seen Gao’s brownish cuffs on his paws, this footage of him eating shows them off :)” http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/5042255199/

To stay on the same subject, yesterday’s update about the cub in Vienna is about his front paws www(dot)zoovienna(dot)at/news/neuigkeiten-rund-um-das-pandajunge/ and there is a lovely picture of the cub lying on Yang Yang tummy but holding his paws up, like he wants us to see that all the parts are there… The title of the update: “5 + 1 Finger“. As you probably all know, besides the 5 fingers, the pandas have an additional finger called pseudo thumb, which help them hold their bamboo and bring the bamboo to their powerful jaw. Of course the cub will not need it for another six month or so, since he still depends entirely on his mommy’s milk for nutrition. The giant pandas are not the only one to have pseudo thumbs; the red pandas have those as well.

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 2, 2010 at 12:42 PM

I just took a peek at Rita Patita’s Flickr page, and the fruits of her labors over the last weeks, when she photographed Su Lin and ZZ as many times as she could are on view. I only looked at the first three before rushing over here to let you know that even though Rita was not able to do much for a couple of weeks she is now gettting some of the photos onto her Flickr for everybody to enjoy……….so enjoy. Here is the link, for those who have not decided to put it in their links yet.

#65 Weegee – Glad to her LH is o.k. I watched the hi-lights this morning and saw CC & LH’s meeting at the gate. Will this be LH’s new area once LP is weaned?

#66 Grammie – I can’t imagine carrying a wiggly 120lb+ panda toddler. They always need 2 keepers to carry the little princess LP when she doesn’t want to move on her own.

Watching Gao Gao on cam. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen him in person. Looking forward to seeing him again real soon! He sure loves to eat!

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 2, 2010 at 1:10 PM

#69 DANIELLE, NY I am glad we have new video of Gao Gao showing off his fluffy feetsies. I often saw the brown cuffs, but though it was a trick of lighting…….I geuss I was way off. Thank you for the link for the little Vienna Zoo, too. Has anyone heard how the Masrid Twins are doing???

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 2, 2010 at 1:23 PM

#64 ANNIE PANDA It might be nice if Bai were to have another cub, but tha t is one of those “wait and see things” we have to deal with in life. The ultra sounds of Bai’s last two pregnancies showed she was carrying twins, but as often happens, the second twin died and was reabsorbed by her body. Nature has uniqie ways of getting rid of things it can no longer use. I think Bai is getting up in age enough that twins just might be too much for her to handle….one would be nice.

Dianna from Ohio

Posted October 2, 2010 at 1:52 PM

#65 Weegee: I was watching the Daily HiLights from 10-1. On the 1st one, I saw 3 people with HK. Was this a special program or something? They were giving LH commands and then I think in video #2 they were wiping down LP while HK was holding her paws. I also think in #2 at the very beginning, you get a very good shot of LP doing her “chin on knee” position. VERY cute! LP is also getting very good at her behaviors.. In #3, you can just tell how much LP trusts her handlers by the way she went into the squeeze cage. They’ve done a really good job with her. After a bit of sniffing, she walks in and doesn’t seem to be very anxious when they closed the door behind her. But after they let her out, she had to do her little Stevie Wonder dance. I think at the end of #3, I saw the howdy gate part with LH and CC that you referred to.. HK also calls LP “ah Ping”… The way I listen to the keepers when they talk, I should be picking up more Thai!!! It sounds like they’re singing to her when the keepers call her by name..

Annie Panda

Posted October 2, 2010 at 3:31 PM

Just got a big panda stuffed animal (about 2 feet tall) and I don’t know what to name it… Any ideas?
Peace, Love and Pandas CIAO! Annie Panda

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 2, 2010 at 3:59 PM

YESTERDAY I READ SOMEONE SAY THAT IT WAS A DARNED SHAME THAT Jeroen Jacobs had not made it into the final 6….but this story should make you feel better—-it sure seems to make him feel better.http://www (dot) giantpandazoo (dot) com/panda/http:/www.giantpandazoo.com/pambassador-news/in-chengdu-until-october-7
To repair the link remove all spaces and (dot) replace with a period.

Dianne in Texas

Posted October 2, 2010 at 4:31 PM

Mary from Brooklyn. Sorry about the injury. Hope you are healing quickly. I went to Chet’s photo stream on flickr, and saw Zhen and Su. They’re being such good girls. I guess the love of tree tops is a family thing. The pics of Hao Hao (Bai’s granddaughter) getting “removed” from the tree made me laugh and think of Zhen and Tai. It took 3 men to get her down! 😀 Also I adore the pics of Tai Shan. Oh, how I’ve missed those beautiful big expressive eyes. The pics made me get teary eyed. He’s still so beautiful, and obviously King of the Mountain. I don’t know how you could say goodbye to him. I had wondered if he would remember his regular ‘auntie’ visitors from NZ, or remember their voices and English words, or their scents. Do you think he truly remembered? His expressions would make you think so.

Pamda

Posted October 2, 2010 at 6:33 PM

#70 Grammie (from previous blog). Thank you for pointing me to the links to see handsome Gao Gao’s furry feet and hairy wrists!. He really has some fur going on there!

#68 Mary from Brooklyn – So sorry to hear about your injury. It sounds very painful and certainly inconvenient. I know you took a hit earlier from the panda tackle, and you have been a real sport to continue through the week. I know, how could anyone not. Thank you so much for your blogs letting us know of your travels and adventures with the pandas. Your getting to know Chet has been wonderful for all of us. I know I felt better having you there when the girls arrived. Take care of yourself and I hope your heal quickly.

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 2, 2010 at 10:35 PM

Give this photo a look and see if you agree with me that it is perfect for a cover shot of “PANDA MAGAZNE”, or “BEAR GIRLS UNLIMITED”, the “CHINESE PANDA ROYALTY”, “Time”, PANDA PEOPLE”, “LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND”, “NATURAL GLAMOUR” or any others that I cannot think of right now. If you have not been to Rita’s page since this went up you may find yourself greeting the photo with a gasp…..Rita got Su Lin in the most beauiful pose I have seen from her yet, and shows ever inch of her inherited royalty from her mom.

BFX is one of the prettiest places I have been to. All lush, green and very tropical. I had the opportunity to feed and clean Tai Shans enclosure. Tai Shan’s neighbors are Fu Long and Wu Jie. Fu Long is really cute with his white foot. Twice a day the pandas get panda bread and carrots or apples. I did taste the panda bread and it is not too bad. The panda bread and carrots are used as a training method. The pandas that have been trained for blood draw, immediately put their arm into the sleeve as they munch away on their food. One thing I did not know was that there is a wild animal park next to the reserve so you can actually hear the lions roaring and elephants making their noises as you are walking around the reserve.
We had heard that the keeper that is with Su Lin and ZZ has also worked with Mei Sheng. I am sure that the girls will adjust just fine. There were all kinds of interesting bugs and we did see some bats so some new things for ZZ to play with.

Mei Lan appears to be well adjusted and very content. As Mary said in a previous post, she is located at the top of the Chengdu reserve and it is a very long uphill walk. She was asleep on her outiside climbing structure she is a very beautiful bear with Lun’s fluffy cheeks.

Weegee

Posted October 3, 2010 at 5:59 AM

#53 Daniell or Anyone – I know that you’ve done a lot of research on the giant panda bear, have you ever come across the pictures or the videos of panda cubs sitting the way LP doing?

#63 lj – I like your idea of having the keeper getting brushed by ZZ. Since ZZ had Left so let our Yunnie does it. Now which of the SDZ panda keepers would love to be the first getting brushed by Mr. Y……HaHa

#66 Grammmie – I heard we got a great deal from the latest meeting only I can’t say anything right now. Have to wait for an official announcement.

diane

Posted October 3, 2010 at 12:22 PM

Watching Yun Zi in his hammock right now at 12:20 California time, he is getting way too big for his hammock – ha ha

Britney

Posted October 3, 2010 at 1:31 PM

Grammmie, I don’t mind being called ‘Bamboo Britney’ I think that would be a cool name to have on the blog.

Britney

Posted October 3, 2010 at 1:35 PM

Here is a story.

Yun Zi’s Top Secret Cake Misson

It is Bai Yun’s birthday, and she got a beautiful bamboo cake. She had blown out the candles and had eaten one piece of cake. She remembered the amount of cake left when she went to bed. When she woke up, half of the cake was missing.

She was shocked, by the it was lunch time, there was only one slice of cake left. Bai Yun said “where has my cake gone” and Yun Zi hid behind the stone rock and falls down on his tushie due to his over-stuffed belly. He later lays on the his stone rock ‘couch” and eats all of Bai Yun’s bamboo.

Britney

Posted October 3, 2010 at 1:42 PM

Here is a story.

Yun Zi **shakes** it!!!

Yun Zi reads the paper and sees that the ladies are falling all over themselves for him. Yun Zi gets upset because he is a star and he doesn’t want to be a star. Yun Zi decides he is going to try to make himself unpopular and ruin his fame. He decides the best way to do this is a shimmy approach.

Yun Zi gets in front of the of the cammeras and shimmies his HUGE tushie to his favorite song California Gurls. Yun Zi shake** Yun Zi shimmy to the music. Instead of being unpopular Yun Zi gains even more fame, with the ladies.

Now there are posters of Yun Zi shaking his BIG tushie for the cammeras. There is a picture of him shaking his BIG tushie and turning around to look at the cammeras. Yun Zi makes the cover of a magazine, as “The Most Good Looking Guy In America”. The ladies go wild.

Kathy in CT

Posted October 3, 2010 at 2:03 PM

Thank-you Suzanne for the very special news update on the “great departure” process! I am not sure if Yunnie’s moment with be a “Wean and Whine Serenade” or a ” It’s my life and I’ll do what I want…” drum roll- please. Tai ADORED the crowds in DC. Yunnie, I am sure, will never be a solitary one- his game for attention oozes with every move he makes at the SDZ- and we’ll be watching! My niece is in college in CA and my hope is to venture out to visit her (and your beautiful zoo) when that opportunity happens!

pandafan-north

Posted October 3, 2010 at 5:50 PM

#74 Dianna from Ohio – re your question about the 3 people that were with HK in the 1st Daily Highlights from Oct. 1. CM Zoo has some sort of panda keeper experience program where they allow members of the public to experience what it’s like to be a keeper – they get to feed the bears, clean enclosures, and try out the commands that LP is used to. I thought this program was finished already but they must have decided to keep it going. Other than that, I don’t know much else. LP is really growing – I pity those keepers having to carry her in and out – good workout, though.

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 3, 2010 at 7:58 PM

#80 SHERI It was wonderful to read your description of the panda base and surrounding area. It sounds like Southern California….but with enough rain and water for it to be green. I am one of “those” who would skip the “bugs”, but the rest sounds enchanting. No wonder the folks at the zoo spend so much time and trouble trying to get the enclosures just right for the each species they keep. Please don’t send the descripion to any of the USA Pandas—–they will all want to vacation there to check it out.

#81 WEEGEE I am glad you are pleased with whatever arrangements are made and I can wait to hear about them until you are allowed to say what they are.

#83, 84, 85, BAMBOO BRITNEY I got to be first to call you that—-we will have to see if it catches on……….And those were cute stories.

Stacy

Posted October 3, 2010 at 8:23 PM

I don’t know if this is the proper place, but I wanted to let SDZ’s panda blog peeps know that our dear Pam G.. author of many great poems about our pandas and the author of the famous “Panda Christmas” series has passed away today. She lost her battle with cancer, but put up a very brave and fierce fight. I know that her fans from here would want to know.

Rest in peace, dear Pam G. You will live on in your poetry and in the hearts of those who had the good fortune to know you.

Moderator’s note: I am so very sorry to hear of Pamela G’s passing. She wrote such beautiful poems about our pandas, and I appreciated her thoughtful comments not only in the panda blog section, but on our other blog posts as well. She will be missed!

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 3, 2010 at 8:56 PM

PLEASE TREAT YOURSELFVES TO SOME GREAT PHOTOS OF THE MADRID TWINS.

feeds (dot) feedburner (dot) com/PandasLiveOn

Somebody sent them to the person who put the blog up to share with the rest of us, it tells you all about it in the article.

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 3, 2010 at 10:50 PM

EVEN UP SIDE DOWN OUR PRINCE FLUFFY-BUTT knows right where his Auntie Weeta Pawtita and her magic picture box is…..and looks right at her. My guess would be because she puts in so much time and love into her regular and often visits to his Zoo. That sentence should have included an invitation to hop on over to Rita Petita’s Flilckr page and enjoy the lovely new photo put up this evening of Yunior—-and he even allowed his mommie into the photo—-what Panda Bear we have on our hands, adorable and generous too.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/ By the time you read this there may be more….my advice is always to keep looking until you get to a photo you have seem from her before—-that way you miss nothing.

Panda Fan

Posted October 4, 2010 at 12:24 AM

72. GRAMMMIE – Here are the Madrid Twin’s new photos:

blog (dot) sina (dot) com (dot) cn/s/blog_49246d360100lr79.html

Panda Fan

Posted October 4, 2010 at 12:38 AM

72. GRAMMMIE – The Chinese keeper said in the blog:

Hua Zui Ba is very smart. I believe she can “think”. She always “threats” us. After taking away her son, we give her bamboo. If it’s not the kind she likes, she’ll protest and yell at us until she gets what she likes. When we try to get the cub, we use grapes first. She moves over, holds the cub but keeps a close eye on us. If there is no honey, she moves back to the center of the cage quickly so we can’t get her cub.

Linda A. / NorCA

Posted October 4, 2010 at 8:12 AM

Mary, #68, hope you recover soon! Will there be pictures to share? You may have posted something, and I just missed it. Thank you!

barbara

Posted October 4, 2010 at 8:35 AM

I read with great sadness this morning that our Panda friend Pam G passed away. Her poems were so dear to us and were treasured by all. I know that you will be remembered fondly by all of us and your poems will be remembered for their joy and love of Pandas that all of us here have. Pam may you walk through those Misty mountains with those pandas you loved.

Pam T

Posted October 4, 2010 at 8:36 AM

Panda fans there is some very sad news on pandasliveon. Pam G has passed away she has shared so many beautiful poems about our wonderful panda moms and their babies. She will be greatly miss and our prayers go out to her family.

You can go to (pandasliveon) and see many of her poems. God Bless her and her love for pandas.

Danielle, NY

Posted October 4, 2010 at 9:22 AM

It is with sadness that I read on Pandas Live On about the passing of Pam G, for those new to this blog, Pam G has given us so many beautiful poems and Lullabyes over the year, I thought this one is particularly appropriate for this blog:http://www.flickr.com/photos/32448872@N00/1280353535/

Danielle, NY

Posted October 4, 2010 at 9:27 AM

Pandas Live On has posted the latest news and pictures of the twin cubs from Madrid, unfortunately the Google translation is really bad and it is hard to make any sense of it. I tried other translation sites but it came up with the same translation. If someone on this blog could let us know what the article said, it would be mostly appreciated.
Blog(dot)sina(dot)com(dot)cn/s/blog_49246d360100lr79.html

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 4, 2010 at 9:59 AM

KEEPER/STAFF QUESTIION. I AM curious about how things are handled for AI. Supposing this Spring Bai is in the mood and Gao is not. Would you then consider AI for them? For a bear you are going to manage by medication for sleeping (if you were quiet you could sneak up on him), are they like us–nothing good to eat, and very little of it, or do they just go about their normal busisness until it is time? Are the males put fully under or is it just enough to gather a smalll sample? Same question with the females, except she recieves the sameple.
Now our lovely moderator will give me a list of blogs where all of these questions have been answered, but that is okay….we think she is tops too.

Today’s update about the cub at the Vienna Zoo is about the cub pink nose and proportions. I found the snout of cubs quite funny, as they are so big in comparison of the rest of their head. The nose is pink, but the cubs have often their bottom lip pink with black marks on the sides, it looks a bit like a moustache… The update has a color picture!! The update said that Fu Long’s nose turned black when he was 5 months old. The reason for the big jaws is of course that the main task for a cub at that age is getting mommy’s milk. www(dot)zoovienna(dot)at/news/neuigkeiten-rund-um-das-pandajunge/

Lee in Vancouver

Posted October 4, 2010 at 10:23 AM

To Mary in Brooklyn – So sorry to hear of your injuries. I’m sure you hand hurts like … but until the trip is over I bet you ignore it as much as possible so it doesn’t ruin the trip. Each evening just take a big drink so you can get a decent nights sleep and dream about all the wonderful pandas you saw and interacted with. Just think you have done what most of us are all saving our money for and would trade places with you in a heartbeat, injuries and all.

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 4, 2010 at 12:48 PM

#75 ANNIE PANDA It took me a long time to figure out a name for the two foot panda…….just be nice, send it to me, and call it “MINE”.

#84 #85 BAMBOO BRITNEY Thank you-you made me lol.

#99 Moderator–I have been loved and married 3 times….you never know how these guys are. Men can be moody too. I have not personally met Gao Gao, it is such a long trip from El Cajon, Ca. but I sure would love too. None of my hubbies would have donned those georgeous shaggy fur boots of his…..and I love those feetsies of his…..so it is Gao for me by photo/video forever. I got this slightly wrong….my third hubby might have….I chose well finally.

#100 DANIELLE,NY those are adoreable photo link you sent….I do’t know who is who between Fu and Wu they both seem like happy roomates. The photos of the Madrid twins are great too….there are some nice color ones at feeds (dot) feedburner (dot) com/PandasLiveOn . Of course you know how to repair the link by taking out all of the spaces and (dot) and relpacing with a period, but I thought I would mention it in case somebody new doesn’t know.

Kathy in CT

Posted October 4, 2010 at 12:52 PM

After so many months in “hibernation” from his fans, Gao Gao seems to be perfectly at home munching away while the crowds stroll by. Wasn’t he the one who ate with his back to the hoomans? One of the pandas at the NZ does it- not sure who. Made it very obvious to us when we were down in April- although they eat their daily iced fruit rings right in front of us- ripping them out of paper bags. SOOO cute! Gorgeous recent Tai pics- and his next door neighbors. Gao’s solo magic box snap is TOTALLY stunning. Yunnie’s weekend dry land back stroke is front refrigerator worthy. Coming home after work to view these, just makes my day! Thanks!

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 4, 2010 at 12:56 PM

I JUST TOOK A LOOK AT THE BLOG THAT I keep directing you to when there are great photos or stories only to find half of what i said was there no longer is. To catch up with them simply go to Pandas On Line and use it in your address bar…..the blog is current and will allow you to get some of the older blogs the same way you do here.

#102 GRAMMMIE – Fu Long is on the right, with his white toes hidden behind his cousin’s back. Wu Jie has a much rounder face than Fu Long and more bulky body as well.

Maureen in Stanwood, Mi

Posted October 4, 2010 at 2:08 PM

I was saddened to hear that Pamela G. passed away She certainly a way with “panda words” Her poems will live on:) as Pamela continues to walk in their midst

Britney

Posted October 4, 2010 at 2:09 PM

Grammmie, I like being called “Bamboo Britney” hopefully that will catch on 😀

Dianna from Ohio

Posted October 4, 2010 at 3:06 PM

Wouldn’t a compliation of Lucille and P. Wong’s stories and Pam G’s poems with Rita Petita’s pictures make a wonderful book? I wasn’t a Panda follower when Pam G was actively writing poems, but I have been reading them now and get all teary eyed with each one. What talent… RIP Pam G.

Britney

Posted October 4, 2010 at 3:34 PM

How did Pam G pass away? What happend? I haven’t heard any thing about her until now.

P Wong

Posted October 4, 2010 at 5:58 PM

I will miss Pamela G, too. Her writings inspired me to have fun with writing panda conversations 4 years ago.

Mary from Brooklyn – I wish you health and a great recovery.

Lil & Bill

Posted October 4, 2010 at 6:33 PM

Yes, I am very interested in a nice book mentioned by #109 Diana from Ohio !!! Lovely pictures with adorable stories and inspirational poems will be a great addition to my panda collection!!!! Even if it is in a calendar format, I will not tire looking at these wonderful creations and reading nice captions and poems! It will be a great gift to others, too!

Mary from Brooklyn

Posted October 4, 2010 at 6:35 PM

Pam G. valiantly fought and lost her battle with cancer. Her poems did not and they live on for all of us. Rest well, sweet Pam.

Lee, I’m home – came home Friday. Dr. said it was a displaced fracture but there is still too much swelling to determine the final course of treatment. The dr. in Chengdu did a good job under the circumstances. Hand is splinted for at least a week. Liked your idea, though. Like being home even better.

P Wong

Posted October 4, 2010 at 7:36 PM

#49 Dianna from Ohio –

I found this description for Chinese usage of “ah” – an initial particle; prefix to names of people.

Amanda

Posted October 4, 2010 at 7:58 PM

#97 Danielle, NY – Thank you for posting a few of Pam’s poems. The poem you posted of Pam’s about weaning brought tears to my eyes as I’ve been watching the start of the weaning process for Lin Ping. Pam certainly had a very special gift in writing about our special pandas. RIP Pam G.

#81 Weegee – Looking forward to reading about the great news you mentioned about LP and her future at CMZ or possibly her return to China. I was reading online that China was not going to announce anything until LP is about 22 months. Hopefully we won’t have to wait that long.

Annie Panda

Posted October 4, 2010 at 9:08 PM

Wow, I found out that Pam G passed away. Her panda poems were so good, I can’t believe she’s gone now. Rest In Peace Pam!
Peace, Love and Pandas CIAO!
Annie Panda

zheng

Posted October 4, 2010 at 9:24 PM

#98 Danielle: the article is long. there was a translation of the first paragraph in this blog.

The middle portion is about one particular zoo visitor with big beard who had been to Chengdu in 2008 and obviously is a huge panda fan. He had adopted a panda in Beijing. He couldn’t see the twins but he still wanted to visit the zoo and took a lot of photos of Papa Binxin. The Chinese panda keeper blogged that the visitor held many precious panda photos. He gave the visitor Chengdu Panda center’s website link. The visitor exchanged his business card with the Chinese panda keeper who obviously is current in Madrid. The keeper was surprised to find out that a photo of the visitor and his wife as well as many panda baby toys on the business card. He said it was the first time he saw business card with pandas on it. He saw the visitor again two days later. They were like old friends by then.

The last paragraph said Spain Queen Sophia would visit the zoo soon to see the panda babies to show her love to pandas. He felt huge responsibilities on his shoulders that so many people in Europe love and care so much about the first panda twins that have survived.

zheng

Posted October 4, 2010 at 9:34 PM

#65 Weegee
Ah is a popular word in some part of China to address someone with great affection. I know for sure in Shanghai and the provinces surrounding Shanghai, people use Ah this way.
As an example, Mei Mei is for younger sister. Calling your younger sister Ah Mei shows love and affection. A boy friend can call his girl friend Ah Mei, which is quite common in many love songs. As another example, the first name of one of my friends is Fanpei (two Chinese characters). I call her An Pei since we are very close and I hold her dearly. Jie Jie is elder sister. People say Ah Jie sometimes for the same reason. We can all Mei Lan “Ah Lan” instead affectionately.
Usually it is a popular word in Southern China. I have been to other parts of China. I don’t hear this word a lot in those areas.

I also found a series of pictures of Xi Lan http://www.flickr.com/photos/58141177@N00/
While he is out sniffing, climbing, drinking, sleeping and exploring, the wait is still on for Lun Lun’s cub, see update on the Atlanta Zoo website.

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 5, 2010 at 3:01 AM

#108 BAMBOO BRITNEY START BY CHANGING your name under where it says Britney near the bottom of the blog where it says “Leave a Comment”, and it will start to catch on…….love grammmie

Shari

Posted October 5, 2010 at 4:43 AM

If any of Pamela G’s family read these blogs; you have my deepest sympathy. Pamela’s poems and stories will be remembered by many.

barbara

Posted October 5, 2010 at 6:37 AM

Moderator, for those who didn’t know Pam could you please pick a poem and print it in Pams honor. and for those who wish to remember Pam for all the joy through her poems please make a donation to the wish list in her name.

Moderator’s note: Pam’s poems are sprinkled throughout the blog comments over so many years, I wouldn’t know where to start–or which one to choose! However, as someone else has mentioned, some of her poems are posted on a different site devoted to pandas. Your idea about making a donation to the wish list in her name is something I believe she would truly be proud of.

Linda A. / NorCA

Posted October 5, 2010 at 8:00 AM

I am so saddened by Pamela G’s passing. Her words often brought tears to my eyes. I know this sounds silly, having never met or known her, but I will miss her. Her poems will live on for all of us to share. How very sad. I believe she had a “panda heart.” May she rest in peace.

Shirley

Posted October 5, 2010 at 8:27 AM

Any news about Su Lin and ZZ from China?

Diane of Lincoln, Ca.

Posted October 5, 2010 at 9:51 AM

Thank you for the continued education on the pandas. Waiting for an update on our two girls in China.

Sheri #80 thank you for your blog. Also, Danielle NY #97 for the website to read about Pam G and her wonderful poems. Trust we will hear more about her.

Our Panda Cam seems to be stuck this morning? What’s up!

Moderator’s note: It seems to be working fine, now. Not sure what the issue was earlier.

Dianna from Ohio

Posted October 5, 2010 at 10:27 AM

I was watching a bit of Lin Ping at lunch and she was being very bad… First, CK wanted her on top of her bed and she didn’t want to go there. He finally got her on it and he queued her to lay down and she went the other way OFF the bed.. Then he wanted her to shift into another enclosure and she didn’t want to go. Half of her was in the one exhibit, the other half in the other. Her special formula wouldn’t entice her all the way into the new enclosure… so CK gets BK (big keeper) and that poor keeper sort of picked her up and shoved her through the gate while CK ran over to the enclosure she was being shoved into. BK must have the strength of 10 men because you could tell she’s getting VERY heavy!!! Imagine 120+ of dead weight…. But it doesn’t stop there… she goes on exhibit with Mom LH… She does some REALLY cute maneuvers hanging upside down, but then she attacks poor LH by jumping on her head!!! And doing really cute somersaults through LH’s boo which LH was trying to eat… By LH’s expression you could just hear LH yelling for Chuang to come and get his daughter!!!
The video is Lin Ping Daily Hi-Light#3-051010 I hope this is the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UeMol6gEyU8…

pandafan-north

Posted October 5, 2010 at 10:38 AM

#109 Dianna from Ohio – I have taken the initiative to compile Lucilla’s stories into one document – she’s past 90 stories now and more than 100 pages and I’m a bit behind. I started capturing P. Wong’s conversations, but I have to look way back to when she started – that’s going to take some time. Same with Pam G.’s poems. But, I’ll soldier on because, like you, I think these literary works and photos can definitely be used to advance the conservation work. I plan on having them at the convention in March, so be sure to come and bring your ideas.

#110 – Britney – Pam G has been writing her panda poems since way back – I’m just not sure how far back, but likely from when Tai Shan was born. Some time ago, we noticed that we hadn’t heard from her in a while and in one of her last blogs she told us that she was not doing well. I’m not sure how long ago that was. Every now and then, our blog moderators were nice enough to provide us with links to one or two of her lovely poems. I dreaded the day when we got news of her passing. Such a loss to our panda lovers community, but she has left us a wonderful legacy. Her poems were both heartwarming and educational in that she always included what I would call “the ways of pandas” in her work. For example, she wrote a wonderful goodbye poem depicting Mei Xiang telling her Tai that they would soon part because “that is our way.” (Log on to PandasLiveOn and you’ll see the whole poem on the right side of the screen.)

Dianna from Ohio

Posted October 5, 2010 at 10:52 AM

Bamboo Britney: Pam G wrote beautiful poems about the Pandas. I believe I read in an earlier post that she lost her battle with cancer. Since you like to write stories, you should go to Pandas Live On website and there are about 3 or 4 of her poems posted. You’ll be inspired…

Diana S.

Posted October 5, 2010 at 11:01 AM

I am so very sorry to hear of Pamela G’s passing. But as someone said, her poems will live on and as such so will her memory. I can picture her in the misty mountains with the pandas who have also passed on.

Mary from Brooklyn – I am sorry for your trauma. I hope you are better soon!!

Diana S.

Posted October 5, 2010 at 11:16 AM

Thank you Danielle in NY #119 for the newest pictures Chet has added to flickr! How nice that Mrs. Qu is taking pix of our girls. Woohoo – everybody knows we love those girls and will keep us informed.

Dianna from Ohio

Posted October 5, 2010 at 11:22 AM

Thanks Panda-Fan North!!! You’re the best person for that huge project!!! Can’t wait to see the finished product..

Lee in Vancouver

Posted October 5, 2010 at 11:45 AM

What a guy that Gao Gao is. He’s having an after meal snack right now ON TOP of his bamboo. No wasted energy for this guy he just ate until he was full and then lay down and was out in about 5 seconds. My Dad used to do something similar as he got older but at least he left the diningroom table before he fell asleep.

Mary in Brooklyn – so glad you are home in one piece. Do what the doctor says and then we expect a complete write-up of your travels ionce you are healed.

Anne in NYC

Posted October 5, 2010 at 12:20 PM

Thank you, panda fan north, for compiling Lucilla’s and P.Wong’s and Pam G.’s wonderful work. I’ve said before that we should get them together with a graphic artist who could create a children’s book that SDZ could sell to raise money for our pandas. I’d certainly buy one!

Mary from Brooklyn – so sorry to hear of your troubles but still look forward to all the “inside tales” that you collected on your trip. Can’t wait until you get back to your keyboard.

Anne in NYC

Posted October 5, 2010 at 12:31 PM

Dianna from Ohio – Thanks so much for the video of naughtly AhPing. Looks like she outsmarts her keepers every time! Don’t know how long they’l be able to drag her around. If she starts pushing back it may become dangerous. Maybe LH will opt for early weaning!

#132 Lee – I noticed the same thing about Gao… I almost posted a comment just like yours but then got busy at work… too funny!! It’s like he just passed out!! He sleeps in the oddest positions too. Feet sticking up in the air positions. Ya gotta love that bear…

#49 Dianna from Ohio – Here is additional clarification of Chinese regional usage of “ah” as prefix to a title or name:

In Hong Kong or Guangzhou region, it is a more polite way to address someone with prefix “ah” before a name or title. To address someone without the “ah” prefix sounds abrupt and depending on the context, sometimes almost impolite. The “ah” is used in formal as well as informal situations and not restricted to expressions of affection. For example, when a Hong Konger addresses a police officer by title and does not know the person’s name, one would address by saying “Ah Sir.” Other examples are Ah Yee for auntie, Ah Sook for younger uncle, Ah Bok for older uncle.

As for what flavor and meaning of “ah” is used in Thailand for “Ah Ping,” it may be better to consult someone in-the-know in Thailand as I must confess I don’t have that much exposure to this part of Asia.

Diana S.

Posted October 5, 2010 at 4:38 PM

#132 and #136 Lee and Dianna – I was thinking the very same thing when I saw him!!! What a goof!

#137 Danielle – Thank you so much for printing that poem. It has always been one of MY favorites as it is about my favorite panda girl – Su Lin. Pamela G certainly had a gift…she will be missed.

Weegee

Posted October 5, 2010 at 4:56 PM

#118 Zheng, Thank you so much for your wonderful explanation…

pandafan-north

Posted October 5, 2010 at 8:47 PM

Hello all. In researching Pam G’s poems in Flickr, I found this video that a panda fan created using one of Pam G’s poems. It is very well-done. The poem is a song from Lun Lun to Mei Lan. It is so sweet and so comforting. I share this link with you now, in memory of Pam G.

Watching Lin Ping on cam tonight. The weaning between mother/daughter continues. Today I noticed that the seperation between LP & Lin Hui was slightly longer. I also noticed that LH was called off exhibit while LP was awake. The keepers usually wait until LP is asleep. LH made her way to the outdoor exhibit. She sat and ate her boo in peace. LP is usually “attacking” her when she’s trying to eat. A little while later, she got up and walked over to meet CC at the howdy gate. That was cute to see. It looked like she was trying to extend her hand (paw) through the gate to say “hi”. This is my first weaning experience. At times I feel sad. This will help me prepare myself when Yun Zi & Bai go through this. I know I’ll be a basketcase!

Weegee…how do the keepers/vet feel the weaning process is going so far?

Annie Panda

Posted October 6, 2010 at 7:14 AM

Good morning! I was just wondering how Su Lin and Zhennie are doing? Will the zoo be getting updates from China about them often? I hope they’re enjoying their new homes!

Bamboo Britney- Nice name! It’s very creative 😉

Have a Panda-ful Day! Peace, Love and Pandas CIAO!
-Annie Panda

Dianna from Ohio

Posted October 6, 2010 at 8:12 AM

I was just reading the ZA blog on Lun Lun’s ultrasounds. They shave her tummy… Do the Nannykeepers shave Bai’s? I don’t think Chinook’s tummy was shaved in the video of her ultrasound….

You know this really is the best zoo blog. I’m not sure about Thailands or Vienna’s zoo but SDZ is the only blog that I watch on a frequent basis that allows all of us Pandaholics get on here and ask questions and even get responses from the busy zoo folks… So THANK YOU to SDZ and our wonderful Moderator who puts up with us…

Marie

Posted October 6, 2010 at 8:16 AM

I never heard of Pam, but may she RIP. The poem I read here was beautiful.

#113 Mary from Brooklyn: Thanks so much for sharing your China adventure! I hope you heal quickly!

# 126 Dianna from Ohio: Thanks for the link. What a naughty bear! She makes me laugh. She’s stubborn, yet so endearing. How can anyone not smile when they watch her? I swear she gets bigger every time I see her! CK doesn’t look quite “little” weight-wise so I’m sure she’ll surpass him shortly! Her play session had me laughing. I love when she hangs upside down by her hind paws. Zhennie does the same thing!

# 132 Lee: I saw Gao on cam yesterday as he was finishing a meal and then he lay just plopped over on the ground and passed out. They’re lucky they don’t get indigestion. LOL. That’s probably the same thing you saw. What a sweet bear he is.

Just go to post I had a great time at the zoo on vacation we got lucky and saw Sun Lin the day before she left Ca. The bears are beatiful in person the cam does not show how white the white is. Both where eating and got great picture’s this time last time mom was in the dean
and both girls where sleeping. One thing that would be nice is if you could stand and watch them. We could go out and get back in line but Yun Zi was taking his time getting down the tree I missed the picture when he got in his hammock. I understand the standing right front and center would not be nice but the back row you could not stand I just watch them on cam for long periods of time. The the pandas is one of the two reasons in making the trip from PA two years in a row. Had to see Bai Yun and Yun Zi he is my first panda cub before he was weaned. I had to get better pictures of the koloa bears. Thank you

Susan (UK)

Posted October 6, 2010 at 11:34 AM

I am sad to hear that Pam G has left us. Her wonderful poems will live forever and she will live in the hearts of the Pandas. RIP Pam.

Bamboo Britney

Posted October 6, 2010 at 1:39 PM

While we are still on the subject of Pam G. I want to ask a few questions. What type of cancer did she die from? What day did she pass away. I might get another bamboo plant in honor of Pam G. I read her storys and I really liked them. What a loss to this panda community. You are right her stories will live on.

Bamboo Britney

Posted October 6, 2010 at 4:32 PM

Panda Annie, thanks. I am going to get more bamboo today!!

Pamda

Posted October 6, 2010 at 5:11 PM

From one Pamela to the memory of another Pamela.

We are blessed and richer for having shared your love of pandas and for your divine gift of writing. You have left a legacy of a timeless collection of beautiful poetry, so beautifully illustrating your love of pandas and their place in the world.

I want to honor your memory by picturing you walking in the misty mountains surrounded by pandas.
Rest well beautiful Lady.

lu

Posted October 6, 2010 at 5:12 PM

Is there chance that a book of Pam G poems will go to print? She had such a gift, it would be a shame
not share with the panda world.
lu

Catbelly

Posted October 6, 2010 at 6:16 PM

Hello All. I just wanted to note that there is a memorial service for Pam G on 10/9 and I’ll be attending. Pam was diagnosed with breast cancer years ago and about 3 years ago found that it had metastasized to her brain. I will pass all of your messages on to her husband tomorrow, including the kind words of the moderator. You can read her poems on various Flickr groups that are public. The private groups that she belonged have threads dedicated to them (not sure about the public ones) but if you read one, you’ll get the idea of what a talented lady she was. Pam could keep you laughing until your sides hurt and she is one of the bravest ladies I ever met. Even though she was pretty drugged up at the end and in a near coma state, she managed to do a famous Pam one liner before crossing over. Rest in peace dear panda friend. You will be missed by so many. We will always have her poems to keep her memory alive.

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 6, 2010 at 7:49 PM

TO THOSE GREAT FOLKS WHO WANT TO GATHER POEMS

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 6, 2010 at 8:02 PM

TO THOSE FOLKS WHO WANT TO GATHER WRITTEN WORKS AND “PHOTOS” that were originally posted/written by some of the the other bloggers please remember that once things are posted in their flicke account it is copyrighted, and you need permission to use those images and writings. I bet for the most part you will get your written answer as “YES”. right down to using the proceeds to donate to the Panda fund—-but you must ask and get a yes. I do not want to rain on anybodies parade but it is better to hear this now than to do a wonderful body of work-then collect the money for pandas, instead of doing all the same work them being sued for anything you might have made on it.

Weegee

Posted October 6, 2010 at 11:43 PM

Pam G., I’m so sure that everyone here is missing you and your beautiful poems everyday, please rest in peace.

Dear Amanda and all,

I bet LP didn’t even notice that mama wasn’t there with her. But LP surely suspected something because every time mama came back she smelt the strange odor from mama. It’s so funny seeing LP sniff out every square inches from the tip of the toe to the top of the head of mama, Lin Hui.

Yesterday. CMZ vet, Dr. Goy took LH’s blood sample for blood test. The amount of blood needed, is 5 ml but there were only 2 ml taken so Dr. Goy will have to do it again next week.

Things have been so far so good here in CMZ.

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 7, 2010 at 3:39 AM

IT DOES NOT SEEM TO MATTER THE SIZE OF THE BAMBOO our beloved YZ can still pick out Rita and her magic picture box—-even backwards and upside down. Just whom does that make the more talented—–YZ or our beloved Rita???? That question might seem odd until you make a trip over to Rita Petita’s Flickr page to see wha I mean.http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/

Mary from Brooklyn

Posted October 7, 2010 at 6:53 AM

I posted a set of pictures of me and Hua Mei’s seventh child and my adopted cub, Hao Hao (Qi Qi) to Flickr at:

Have not yet gone through my videos of Mei Sheng, but will soon, I promise.

Ruth from Austria

Posted October 7, 2010 at 8:10 AM

#97 Danielle, NY, thank you so much for pointing out Pam G.’s poems to us. They always made me teary-eyd. All of them were written by her with such sensitivity and feelings for our beloved pandas. I am very sorry to hear that Pam G lost her battle against cancer and had to go over the “Rainbow Bridge”. I am sure that she passed on to a happier place where she will meet with all the pandas that she loved so much. She gave us so much joy with her beautiful poems and will be dearly remembered. RIP, Pam.

Joanna in California

Posted October 7, 2010 at 9:23 AM

@ 150 Susan: Usually you can stand in the back row as long as you want. Did they not let you do that this time? Last time I went to the zoo for Yun Zi’s b-day I stood in the back row for at least 20 minutes watching him enjoy his cake, and nobody told me to move 😉

Danielle, NY

Posted October 7, 2010 at 10:35 AM

#156 Catbelly – Thank you so much for offering to pass on our messages to Pamela’s husband. The stories, poems and lullabyies that Pamela wrote have really touched me, they were all so well written, but what I found even more important, is the wisdom with which she wrote, it is as she gave the pandas a voice to express their dreams. I truly hope that she realized the direction in which the panda centers in China are going towards the reintroduction of the captive pandas in their natural milieu, and that it did give her some comfort.
I also hope that her stories, poems and lullabyies are known to the Chinese.
Rest in peace Pamela.

pandafan-north

Posted October 7, 2010 at 12:07 PM

#158 GRAMMMIE -thanks for the reminder about copyright on materials published on Flickr and other similar sites. I, for one, am very aware of this and treading carefully.
Thanks for the link to Rita Petita’s latest capture of YZ and the ‘big boo.’ I also really like the one of YZ sitting down with the caption, “My dad lives next door.” Too funny!! By the way, Rita has also posted several awesome photos of the irresistible Gao Gao.

#161 – Mary from Brooklyn – thank you so much for sharing your photos of you and Hao Hao. Oh, what a most glorious time you must have had with her!! Did those claws and teeth really hurt? Your face sort of shows that they were hard to ignore. What cherished memories you have of this last trip. I hope your finger is on the mend.

Panda fans, head over to PandasLiveOn for a most heartwarming story about a cub who found in the wild three years ago and who has thrived under expert care in one of the reserves.

Mary from Brooklyn

Posted October 7, 2010 at 12:24 PM

yz is really enjoying his box. doxie, tell us you are capturing this.

Linda / NorCal

Posted October 7, 2010 at 12:35 PM

#156, do please pass along all of our condolences to Pamela’s family. She touched so many; what a special lady. Lucky are those who actually knew her personally.

deb

Posted October 7, 2010 at 12:56 PM

There are must see photos of Spain’s Madrid Zoo Twin Panda Cubs in the LA Times blog section today.

Dianna from Ohio

Posted October 7, 2010 at 1:12 PM

Mary from Brooklyn: I loved your pictures of your adopted cubbie. How exciting for you to actually embrace a panda! I know you have gloves on your hands, but could you tell what she felt like? When she was attacking the broom, she reminded me of Yunnie with the keepers rake.

When you finger is better, you’ll have to give us more stories!!!

Susan, PA

Posted October 7, 2010 at 1:19 PM

#163 joanna- This guy was standing where you go out and would walk down and tell if you had been there to long. It was just a long trip
from Pennsylvania to see Zun Zi I just did not want to miss a thing he did when he started down. I did miss him getting up in his hammock but
got some good pitcures. Wish I lived closer to the zoo that zoo is great. Thank you if I ever get back I will try that.

Frances in NYC

Posted October 7, 2010 at 3:05 PM

Catbelly–please do pass on our admiration and appreciation for Pam G’s words–for those of us who didn’t know her they were so inspirational and so touching. She must have been such an amazing woman.

Mary–what a great trip and thanks for posting your pictures. Can’t wait to hear more about it when you are able.

Linda / NorCal

Posted October 7, 2010 at 3:37 PM

Mary from Brooklyn….thank you for sharing your pictures. I am so happy for you! (I’m sorry you were injured – but so happy you in taking the trip.) So good to see Lani even if she was a sleepy girl. I could spot her cheeks from a mile away!

Chet (home in Malaysia)

Posted October 7, 2010 at 3:39 PM

Oh, y’all should have heard the OUCH from Mary when Hao Hao nipped her. It was the loudest I heard.

LJ

Posted October 7, 2010 at 3:47 PM

Gao Gao is having his close up right now and oh what a handsome guy he is

Bamboo Britney

Posted October 7, 2010 at 3:58 PM

More bamboo talk, I guess I will never end this talk about bamboo and I don’t want to, after all I am Bamboo Britney, this is my thing on the blog 😀 . I Goodled ‘bamboo products” and there were over 100,000,000 results. Most of the bamboo was imported from China and made into products by American companies. I think that American companies started the ‘bamboo craze” in America. As I am doing all the research I can, to put in my book, I am writeing, ‘Panda Conservation, Ways You Can Help’.

I think most of the bamboo used to make the (cutting boards, hair color with bamboo extract, tee shirts, tables, the list goes on and on). I think it would be better to make products out of recycled content (you can’t do that with hair color though, you would have to find another subsitute for bamboo extract), that
would be more eco-friendly than using bamboo. I am just saying that it would be better to recycle things than make bamboo products in America.

I am not saying anything about China since that is their bamboo to use, I am talking about American companies who import bamboo, make and sell it to us. I think American companies should use recycled content or go with a flux bamboo look. Since American companies have access to recycled content.

That is my point of view. 😀

Marilyn in California

Posted October 7, 2010 at 4:28 PM

#163 Joanna: Usually the narrator says to everyone that they should move along so others have a chance to see the pandas. The narrator does not limit the request to only those in the front. I guess some people think the request applies to them and others don’t.

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 7, 2010 at 5:13 PM

#161 MARY FROM BROOKLYN I am on the second page of the photos of you with Hao Hao, posted by PANDAGIRL 25, in just a few photos you can see the “Bai Dynasty” in her looks, but it is cinched when you get to the photo of her trying to STEAL THE BOOTIE from somebody other than You who adopted HER. How I envy you the means to adopt. She is adorable and the envy started the first time I saw a photo of her. It took me a while to realize just how close things were….she being a few weeks older than Yun Zi, and his Auntie to boot. Now I see that she is also descended from Bai……she has the broom to help with the cleaning but cannot get the rest of the crew to “get the lead out” even though they are trying to steal her broom. It must be my love for Prince Fluffy-Butt that stirred me up, and when I first saw her 1 year portrait, little by little her background and family revelled itself to me. Now I wonder what the other7 look like—especially the newest one. Did you get to view any of them???

Sheri

Posted October 7, 2010 at 6:07 PM

#175–Bamboo Britney

One thing we learned from Mr. Wong, (Tai Shan’s keeper) is that the bamboo the pandas make a mess with and leave in their enclosure is recycled. Some of the bamboo poles are cut to be handles of brooms.
Other varieties of bamboo have what looks like sticks and when it is dried becomes the bristles of the broom. The brooms work amazingly well. Also some of it is used for making paper products and things like that. I must say that on this trip to China (my second) that the country has trash and recycle bins on at least every other block if not every block in the cities.

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 7, 2010 at 6:35 PM

#109 DIANNA FROM OHIO I HAD THE SAME IDEA A WHILE BACK, AND P WONG was kind enough to offer a date somewhere near the beginning, so I started there and was able to find the beginning…..with Bai Yun. Following her interview there was SHI SHI, Gao Gao, Mei Sheng, and Gao Gao #2. I did not go any farther since I found myself reading them again instead of figuring out a way to get them ones I have done to you. I wrote to Deb to see if we could get in touch through her, but got a quick answer to say she was out of the office until Oct 11….I am sure she will address the request asap then you will not only be at the start, you will have lots of conversations to enjoy before you continue working forward. If she checks her account for the zoo on her home computer maybe sooner. It goes to Gao #14 and Mei Sheng #11 and a few other things I have no memory of at all—so you will ge to have a nice (I hope) suprise(s).
While looking back one more time to the beginning. I found that the first one was not by P WONG, but near the same form—and name started with a P so I assumed it was. It turned out to be a writinig, interviewing Bai Yun, and as soon as I post this I will copy and paste it in a post in just a few minutes. It always made me laugh when I read it….until I realized a bit ago that it was Pamela G. I did not know she was so funny.

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 7, 2010 at 6:40 PM

Pamela G says:
June 7th, 2006 at 10:10 am
An Interview With Bai Yun
Reporter: ” Good afternoon, Madame Bai Yun. Thank you for agreeing to speak to me.â€
Bai Yun: ” Hello. You have spoken to Second Daughter Su Lin several times.â€
R: ” Yes. She is very charming.â€
B: ” I am proud of all my children. First Daughter Hua Mei is a mother herself now. First Son Mei Sheng may soon make his Long Journey to meet his destiny. And Second Daughter Su Lin is growing well; she is strong and smart. My children bring me great honor.â€
R: ” Hua Mei is Shi Shi’s daughter. Do you remember Shi Shi?â€
B: ” Of course. He is old and wise. He told me of his first life.â€
R: ” His first life?â€
B: ” Shi Shi was born and lived in Panda Home for many years. His life was hard, but he was free. He began a new life after he was injured. His new life was hard, too, at first, but he came to understand and be grateful. He said that his second life was easy and comfortable. But sometimes he dreamed of Panda Home.â€
R: ” Do you dream of Panda Home?â€
B: ” All Pandas dream of their ancient home. It is our duty to pass the dream to our children, to keep the memory of Panda Home alive until we return to our mountains.â€
R: ” What else do you teach your chldren? How to play?â€
B: ” Pandas are born knowing how to play!â€
R: ” I’ve heard that you have a sense of humor. You seem very formal today.â€
B: ” If you want to see my sense of humor I could hold you upside down and give you a bathâ€¦â€¦â€
R: ” Uhhâ€¦.noâ€¦noâ€¦thank you, but that won’t be necessary. Could you tell me about Gao Gao?â€
B: ” Gao Gao was also born in Panda Home. He is small, but in his heart and mind he is very big. His scent marks are boastful.â€
R: ” Boastful?â€
B: ” They are higher than he is! Second Daughter is also big in her heart and mind. She is like Gao Gao that way. I tell her that sometimes the smallest gifts are the best.â€
R: ” You said that Mei Sheng might be leaving soon. Does that make you sad?â€
B: ” Why should I be sad? All children leave their mothers. All cubs must go and make their own lives. It is the Panda way.â€
R: ” How do you prepare Su Lin to make her own way?â€
B: ” She will learn to find and eat her own food. She will learn to be careful around bigger bears. She will learn how to play-fight so that if she must really fight someday, she will know how to fight or to get away. Second Daughter still has these things to learn.â€
R: ” Did you teach her to make songs?â€
B: ” Second Daughter Miss Smarty-Paws Su Lin learned that by herself!â€
R: ” Would you sing one of your songs?â€
B: ” Perhaps if we talk again I will give you a songâ€¦and a bath!â€
R: Thank you, beautiful Madame Bai Yun!â€

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 7, 2010 at 7:00 PM

#175 BAMBOO BRITNEY There are hundreds (perhaps thousands) of species of Bamboo—I understand Pandas only consume 7 of them. My number could be off, and somebody on the blog will help us out by correcting me, please. Bamboo seems to grow just about anywhere in the world, is a grass plant (and I thought that finding out that corn was also a grass would blow my mind…..but sugar cane???). Were it not a documentary I might think they were kidding. Maybe the Pandas who love sugar cane call it Sweet Grass.
You may want to approach bamboo research through grasses or “green” uses for Bamboo. It can grow many inches a day, I cannot remember if it needs lots of water or not, but is very strong. It is routinly used as scaffolling all over China. There is a ban, I believe in cutting the ones Pandas eat unless they are to be fed to Pandas. I have seen the scaffolling of bamboo up on buldings in movies for many years but never really connected to it until somebody did a blog right her on Bamboo….I sarted watching harder then…..and there it was. WDith some checking I think you might find that Bamboo is being put to much beter use than can be imagined. I am looking forward to he first thing I knit or crocheet or loom knit from bamboo

Mary from Brooklyn

Posted October 7, 2010 at 7:23 PM

chet – you’re spilling all my secrets, lol. the claws of the cub that pulled me down did not hurt; hh’s nips caused a few “OUCH”es to escape my lips, but they are play nips and grabs. the cubs really do think we are new toys to play with. in a perfect world, hua mei would still be receiving hh’s nips. she deserves them — she gave birth to a “monster”. instead she is quietly and calmly raising her 8th cub, while her 7th cub creates lots of mischief.

Britney – there are so many species of bamboo out there. saw a marvelous construction at the museum yesterday made from bamboo. it is not edible and no pandas will go hungry because of it. also, please in mind that bamboo is the ultimate renewable resource. It is a grass and some species can grow several feet in a single day. if not repurposed by us humans, bamboo is self-sustaining. (chet, is this correct?) in china. bamboo is commonly used as the vertical element in scaffolding because it is so strong. we saw lots of that.

however, i’m impressed that you are doing all this research. we need folks like you to take up the call to make the world a more eco-friendly place. that’s my point of view.

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 7, 2010 at 7:40 PM

#159 WEEGEE I had nearly the same problem the last time my doctor sent me to the lab, the lady asked me to drink some of my iced drink I always have with me, gulped some down—–instant blood…and I am talking about just a few seconds before the flow was enough to fill 3 tubes fast. I do not suppose they will let you anywhere near the lab, but perhaps you can drop them a note on their website, or the old fashioned way, mail them a note.

Annie Panda

Posted October 7, 2010 at 8:17 PM

Tomorrow at school, I have a free dress day and I have to dress in orange because the Giant’s went to the play-offs. I am going to wear my panda hat because one of the Giant’s players is nicknamed Kung Fu Panda. Just thought I’d let you know…
Anyway, I have a question for the moderator- Will the panda team be getting updates on Su Lin and Zhen Zhen from China often or ever?
Wow, I can’t believe Su and ZZ are gone! I hope they’re doing well! I bet they really enjoy their enclosures and especially China! Maybe one day I’ll see them there or their cubs!
Well, I heard the sad news about Pam G. So sad… I remember reading some of her poems, I liked Mei Xiang’s Lullaby, it was so sweet.
Hope everyone had a good day!
Peace, Love and Pandas CIAO!
Annie Panda

Moderator’s Note: We usually receive limited information from China, but we’ll be sure to share whatever news we hear.

Annie Panda

Posted October 7, 2010 at 8:19 PM

Bamboo Britney- Your welcome Oh and you called me “Panda Annie” even though now I am Annie Panda. I changed it a while ago, should I change it back to Panda Annie? Hmm, I think that might be a good idea…

I would like to ask everyone if they know any cute names for pandas. I have a few panda stuffed animals that I haven’t named yet, I would love to hear any suggestions!

Chari Mercier

Posted October 8, 2010 at 12:23 AM

Hey, you all! Zooborn website alert!! Just got on the Zooborns website a few minutes ago, and there it was! They had pictures and videos of the twin pandas that were born at Madrid Zoo, Spain on September 7, 2010. In the article with the pics and vids, they said that the twin pandas’ mom has been doing a fantastic job being able to take care of and nurse both of her babies. Both cubs are now sporting their famous black and white markings, growing, and also gaining weight! So, go and check out the Zooborns website and read about these cubs. The pics are just sooooo adorable!
Meanwhile, back in the USA, Atlanta Zoo panda keepers and vets are continuing to do ultrasounds twice a week on Lun Lun. She has been cooperating very well in these sessions and eating her snacks while the vet shaves her stomach and does the procedure. Lun was not phased at all; just ate her snacks! Still no indication of any baby panda developing inside Lun yet, so they are still waiting. Lun Lun is now at 117 days gestation since her AI. All 3 Atlanta pandas are outdoors alot more now that cooler fall weather has come to Atlanta in the last week.
At NZ, Naba’s 3 lion cubs had their first vet exam a couple of days ago. Looks like she had 2 boys and one girl, but the vets will get a better determination on that in about a month on their next exam. All 3 cubs weigh between 7 & 8 pounds. Shera’s 4 cubs are growing like weeds! All 4 of them are weighing at around 15 pounds already! Plus, one of the cubs that the vets thought was a girl is turning out to be a boy! As it turns out, Shera had one boy and 3 girls! There are now 5 lion cub cams up online on the NZ website’s lion page. Go check it out and get a good luck at these very cute and adorable cubs! BTW, Naba’s cubs now have their eyes wide open! Mei Xiang and Tian Tian are enjoying the cooler weather, spending more time outdoors. No new update about them since June.
Well, that’s it for now. Will be back later and checking pandacams!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL

Dianna from Ohio

Posted October 8, 2010 at 7:08 AM

Did anyone see the Madrid pandas on Fox News last night? Too cute!!!!

LJ

Posted October 8, 2010 at 7:34 AM

Mary from Brooklyn, Thanks for taking one for the team Hope you’re feeling better soon. I loved the pics and oh what a joy it must have been to play with those beautiful creatures.

Anne in NYC

Posted October 8, 2010 at 8:24 AM

Mary from Brooklyn: thanks so much for sharing your adventueres with Hao Hao. She looks like a sturdy little bear. How old is she and how much does she weigh?

Dianna from Ohio

Posted October 8, 2010 at 10:17 AM

I was watching Gao and Bai sleep and it occurred to me that I’ve never seen Bai take a snooze on the ground.. It appears she always finds a nice log or stone throne to nap on… whereas fuzzy feetsies Gao just topples over where ever he is… which seems to be the ground…

Barbara in Midwest

Posted October 8, 2010 at 11:02 AM

#156, Catbelly, thanks so much for the information about Pam G. What time is the service? I’d like to pause for a moment to remember her in silence. Such a talented lady. Although many of her poems were dedicated to a certain panda, what amazed me most were her Christmas poems that incorporated all of the U.S. pandas. Truly a remarkable lady; she will be missed. Please do tell her family there are many who will miss her and will print and keep her beautiful poems.

Lee in Vancouver

Posted October 8, 2010 at 12:36 PM

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone in Canada this weekend. See you all on Tuesday.

Marilyn in California

Posted October 8, 2010 at 1:13 PM

#180 Dianna: I think the NZ pandas are the same. Mei Xiang (the female) usually sleeps on one of the rocks. Tian Tian (the male) doesn’t mind sleeping on the ground. In the summer he’s often found sacked out in his air conditioned grotto.

Mary from Brooklyn

Posted October 8, 2010 at 2:00 PM

Annie Panda — check out Hua Mei’s children’s names at Pandas live on. You have to scroll way down the page, but they are there in the right hand column – 7 of them so far; latest cub is unnamed. (you see Hua Meis family tree.) Also, two names I really like because i played with these two last year are An An and Ping Ping. they are the first cubs born in china after the 2008 earthquake.

Grammmie — did we have esp going last night in response to britney???? that was scary reading our two responses consecutively!

LJ — it was a trip (pun intended) i won’t forget soon. hao hao and i are kindred spirits — both described when young as a “force of nature”. I got the perfect girl. my real mom would have adored her.

Danielle, NY

Posted October 8, 2010 at 3:30 PM

It seems that there is so much news about pandas from around the world, that I am not sure where to start. So I will start with the SDZ’s pandas…
Rita Petita posted some new pictures taken on Sunday and the following one raised a question in my mind for our moderator or our panda team. Yun Zi’s teeth on that picture seems small to me, does he still have his cub’s teeth or does he already have his adult teeth?http://www.flickr.com/photos/ritapetita/5059012794/in/photostream/

DoxieMom has posted new videos, one of Yun Zi attacking Bai Yun, who doesn’t seem to mind, two videos of Yun Zi playing and climbing by himself, and one video of Ya Ya from Memphis eating her bamboo outside, probably wishing she had a cub attacking her while she is trying to eat. It is rare to see videos of the pandas in Memphis and I, too often, forget to check on them, thanks DoxieMom.http://www.flickr.com/photos/pandalover19/

The news from Vienna is also good, Yang Yang is spending more time away from her cub, eating bamboo, carrots and sweet potatoes but also sleeping away from her cub as he needs to be fed only every four or five hours now. Her time away from her cub has increased since September 20th, but she never spends more than 2 hours away from him. www(dot)zoovienna(dot)at/news/neuigkeiten-rund-um-das-pandajunge/
I also found an article about Fu Long and his brother, it is in German but the English translation can be obtained by clicking on the American flag.
www(dot)zoobesuche(dot)net/2010/09/bi-feng-xiawien-fu-long-sein-bruderchen/
The videos are also on YouTube
Panda cub, 6 weeks old, at Zoo Viennahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ff9E1M7niZQ
I find the video of Fu Long quite interesting as he is scratching himself mainly with his front paws, and I thought the pandas never or rarely do that, learning something new every day…
Fu Long on 27th of September in Bifengxiahttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF6rndDkTmk

I also got some news from Adventure World in Japan, Rauhin’s twin cubs born on August 11 were named today!! The best article to read is written in Japanese and I used the Google translation. It is better than the English version of the article which has only one picture, one of the names is miss-spelled and the sex of the cubs not given!!
mainichi(dot)jp/select/wadai/news/20101008k0000e040020000c.html
In short, the male Kaihin (beach) now weighs 2515 grams (5.5 lb), his weight at birth was 158 grams; the female Youhin (Yang Beach) now weighs 2445 grams (5.4 lb), her weight at birth was 123 grams.

As I continue to look for videos of pandas I know, I came across this video of Wu Gang who is Wu Jun and Wu Jie’s daddy. Wu Jun and Wu Jie are Fu Long’s cousins and roommates.
Wu Gang in Bifengxia on 25th of Septemberhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq4id5zA48c

Annie Panda

Posted October 8, 2010 at 8:04 PM

If you go on Pandas Live On and click on “Pandas in the U.S.” you can see many pictures of the pandas here in America. I was trying to identify which panda was which by just looking at their photos and I could figure out who Gao and Bai Yun were very clearly. But, if you click on Bai Yun’s picture it says a little bit about her and says she might not have any more cubs due to the fact that she is getting older. I really hope she have a cub next year, I do wish for twins but one is good enough for me! I’ll be keeping my fingers crossed!
Peace, Love and Pandas CIAO!
Annie Panda

P.S. I don’t think Lucilla has posted a story for a while now, not even just a comment. Probably out of town or something. Glad we can read Bamboo Britney’s stories, they’re so entertaining! 😉

Annie Panda

Posted October 8, 2010 at 8:14 PM

I watched the panda’s hearing study video today, I found it very interesting! Su Lin and Zhennie are so smart, wow! Will Yun Zi be doing it and will you “be done” with it? I saw some photos of one of the SDZ’s pandas tapping their nose on the red target on Flickr. It was very interesting, I see that pandas can hear higher sounds than we humans can and have relatively good hearing! Glad this information was shared!

Annie Panda

Posted October 8, 2010 at 8:20 PM

When Yun Zi is weaned the SDZ panda mile stone chart will be completed! It’s kind of a sad thought because it means that Yunnie is growing up… Hopefully the chart will be posted soon and maybe one day if Bai Yun has another cub there will be a new panda cub on the chart. Aww, I remember when Yun Zi was learning how to walk and when his color appeared and I really remember voting for his name and finding it out! So many sweet memories from Yunnie!

GRAMMMIE

Posted October 8, 2010 at 9:58 PM

#193 MARY FROM BROOKLYN Perhaps when we post we should check wih each other to save on our typing fingers. I was sorry to hear about your paw geting hurt…was it your dominate hand, so you feel clumsy to boot? They say great minds think alike…..and there is that other one about Birds of a Feather——are we bird brains or geniouses????
I love little Hao Hao, but if she is naughty perhaps I should hop on a plane and be off to China to have a little chat with her. Nipping the adoptive mother is certainly not in the contract. She sounds even more like Yunior. I am glad you waited to get your hurt finger until after you played with her. Are we now to call her Iron Jaws?
Whenever anybody here says how happy they are for you to visit Tai they really do mean it—-even if there is a slight dash of envy with it. Here in San Diego there are 4 of our babies who have made the journey, just recently 2 of them…..but I bet you got some idea about that from here. We did enough moaning and groaning…..perhaps in a few months 4 ladies from here will go see our girls…..and report to you about Tai again.

Lucilla in Singapore

Posted October 8, 2010 at 11:20 PM

Lun Lun: Hello, Ah Jie, what’s happening with you at SDZ?

Bai Yun: Well, it is quieter now the girls have gone to China. And Yunior is entering into his second year
and is getting to be quite a handful. He does not know his own strength. Thanks the Panda God, I
learnt tai ji stances and can block him and be strong when he tries to push me over.

Lun Lun: Yes, Xi Lan was like that too. Though I was sad that we had to be separated but it was for the
best. Being called Mommie Monster was not something I treasure but I take it as a badge of
honour as I have to train him in the Ways of the Panda.

Bai Yun: Yes, indeed, Ah Mei. Do you still have copies of our ancient scrolls written by our ancestors in the
teachings of the Ways, the Truths and the Life of the Pandas? I gave so many away and to my
Hua Mei for her cubbies that I need one for Yun Zi when he is weaned.

Lun Lun: Yes, I kept some in anticpation of more cubbies….

Bai Yun: So when is the happy day?

Lun Lun: The nannykeepers are monitoring me. I love the treats when I go to have my photo taken by that
special magic machine.

Bai Yun: Oh Oh you are so lucky, I love the gel. So cool and lovely smelling!

Lun Lun: But they shave your belly fur….

Bai Yun: I tell myself it is the latest fashion in fur cuts, hee hee. I am preparing for next Spring.

Lun Lun: Do you think your Lao Gong will want to go for No 5?

Bai Yun: *BLUSH* Only time will tell…I shall invite him to do the Dance of Love with me and we shall see…

Lun Lun: How’s the baby?

Bai Yun: Baby no more. Yunnie is his own bear – playful but starting to be quite mature. He wants to learn
to be a good husband and father. So I try to teach him how to please his wife and how to help
manage the cubbies.

Lun Lun: I think Xi Lan is going to be heart breaker.

Bai Yun : Yun Zi too. He is charmer.

Lun Lun: How are you keeping busy these days?

Bai Yun: I am knitting booties for my grandchildren. Hua Mei has 7. Mei Sheng may become a father in
Spring – he is yet to find a suitable girl but it will happen, then Su Lin may be married by Spring too.

#188 Anne — Hao Hao was a week short of 15 months and weighs over 70 pounds. She’s a big girl, but then Hua Mei is a big girl as well, so she comes by it naturally. have not been able to find out who the father is.

Lynn ML

Posted October 9, 2010 at 6:25 AM

I would be most interested in buying a book of panda poems by Pam G. The most poignant line for me is when Mei Xiang is talking to Tai about weaning. I don’t want to quote it word for word as that would be stealing but when she writes that Mei will forget Tai after he is weaned ‘because that is our way’ makes me cry every time and with Yuniors time coming up I will try to remember this.

Lucilla in Singapore

Posted October 9, 2010 at 8:30 AM

Yun Zi: Hey Fu Ge Ge, Congrats, you are now a real elder brother!

Fu Long: Yup and the little tyke is born on my birthday too. He is following in my paw steps.

Lin Ping: I hope I get a baby brother too.

Yun Zi: Really? I think a sister would be nice for you to play with.

Lin Ping: ONly if she is as fun as ZZ!

Fu Long: Btw, Tai asked if you can remind his Ma to send fruitsicles. He misses them very much.

Yun Zi: OK I will ask my Mama to text his Mama. Why doesn’t he call her himself?

Fu Long: Different time zones. He woke her up once and panicked her.

Yun Zi: Yup, that is never good, scaring a Mama.

Fu Long: I called my Pa to see how Ma is. Seems she is like a new mother all over again.

Yun Zi: I saw some photos of her on the net with your brother.

Lin Ping: He was all pink, so cute and making lots of noise.

Fu Long: Cool, he is just like me!

Lin Ping: How is China?

Fu Long: A little strange at first cos of the different sounds and enclosures. But I love the space and the food.

Yun Zi: Didn’t you fall out of a tree?

Fu Long: Ya but not as dramatic as Princess Ping here.

Lin Ping: OH Fooey, it was quite a drop. I now know what sky diving must feel like minus the hard landing.

Yun Zi: Lucky you did not need to stay in the special medical house with the big red cross or need to be cut open by the doctors.

Lin Ping: I still got a few sharpies as they gave me medicines to help take away the pain. The sharpies were ouchies and all I wanted was to be with Mama.

Fu Long: Did you cry? I didn’t.

Lin Ping: I didn’t too. I kept telling the homans to bring me home but they kept saying I had to be ‘ob-served’, I wondered what that meant.

Fu Long: Means they want to watch you in case you fall sick.

Yun Zi: She is made of steel and can give the Energiser Bunny a run for his money.

Fu Long: Well, I got to run as it is time for me to go eat some boo.

Lin PIng: Fooey, tell ZZ I will send her a newpiece for her to arrange for the Panda Grrrls new album.

Fu Long: Cool. I get front row seats at your next gig you hear.

Lin Ping: Sure thing.

Yun Zi: Me too. I will design new outfits for all of you!

Lin Ping: You can help Su Lin Jie Jie with the set design. We are thinking of creating a huge tower structure and ZZ will fly in from another platform and I will hang upside down.

Yun Zi: Way cool. I wil get on it. I am due to skype her tomorrow. Hee Hee. I still want to do costumes though. I was thinking strong colours that pop!

Lin Ping: OK, bye Yun Di Di.

Yun Zi: Bye Ping Jie Jie.

The End

Myrna

Posted October 9, 2010 at 8:42 AM

How are Su Lin and Zhen Zhen adjusting? I know they are still in quarantine

Weegee

Posted October 9, 2010 at 9:49 AM

Grammmie – I’ll pass your message then, thank you so much for your love and care…:)

In the past few days, it’s obvious that CC spent more time flirting with LH.

Amanda

Posted October 9, 2010 at 12:28 PM

#161 – Mary from Brooklyn – Thank you for sharing your photos from China. That is my dream trip. Sorry to hear about that injury to your finger. Hope you heal soon

#208 Weegee – Thanks for the latest from CMZ. Glad to hear the seperation is going well so far. LP has no reaction when LH walks off exhibit. She’s too busy eating her boo! LH looks relaxed sitting outside and eating. I’m sure CC doesn’t mind giving up part of his space for her during the day.

#190 Dianna Ohio – speaking of fuzzy feet, they have a nice close up of CC and his fuzzy feet on Lin Ping hi-lights from 10/7. It’s the first hi-light clip at about 3:32.

Bamboo Britney

Posted October 9, 2010 at 1:04 PM

Panda Annie, I went to: panda (dot) org (dot) cn/english/profile/1.htm , and found a list of pandas born in China. You can look through it to find the perfect name for your pandas stuffies! 😀
I have about 60 panda items in my room. Including bamboo.

Bamboo Britney

Posted October 9, 2010 at 1:11 PM

Catbelly, thank you for telling me what happend.

Chari Mercier

Posted October 9, 2010 at 7:08 PM

Hi! I was just catching up on some of the comments that were written by all of you tonite, and I ran into a few about Pam G. WOW!!! She is a huge loss for all of us pandafans. I have heard (& read) about her from alot of you, how well she wrote poems about pandas, and her life in general. This is a little bit coincidental about Pam G passing away from cancer because this month of October is dedicated to breast cancer awareness as well as being aware about other types of cancers. There is a 3 day walk planned for Pinellas County sometime this month, and if there are any pandafans here that have talked with and read Pam G’s poems, walk in memory of her in the battle to fight breast cancer. Even tho she’s not with us now, she will probably say thank you for walking in her memory! I haven’t had a chance to read any of her poems, so if there is someone that knows any links to them, let me know!
Was just on the SDZ pandacam, and just got a quick looksee of Bai and Yuni. How did you all like the first real rain of the fall season? I’m sure the pandas just loved it!
NZ’s pandacams (and other animal cams) were out last nite, and not doing very well tonite. So, getting a good live streamed look at Tian and Mei will be a little bit tough until the IT guys can get all of the cams straightened out and back online.
Well, gonna check that website that someone mentioned to get a look at all of the baby pandas that were born in China this year. I’m glad that there is someone keeping track of the newest cubs! Oh yeah, my Pandas International email newsletter came in this week. Suzanne Braden wrote about her big annual trip to Bifengxia, China along with a good number of people that went with her. They had alot of fun and even got the chance to see Tai Shan. She also delivered supplies, equipment, milk formula for the cubs, and presents for the staff. She did say that the one thing that has been very problematic is the heavy summer rains that have hit parts of Sichuan Province causing some flooding, as well as rock and mud slides that are damaging the wild pandas’ habitats and the loss of wild bamboo that they eat. This has also slowed down rebuilding of roads, new buildings to replace the earthquake damage, replanting of new bamboo, and the rebuilding of the new Wolong site because of this weather. It has been a rough summer over there!
Gotta go for now. I haven’t eaten yet so I better go to it! Will be back later on!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL

Moderator’s note: Pamela G posted 3 poems in the comment section of 15th Exam: All Boy. Look for them in comments #116, #191, and #296.

Chari Mercier

Posted October 9, 2010 at 7:17 PM

Bamboo Britney, I tried to get on the website that you mentioned that had the list of the baby pandas that were born in China this year. Unfortunately, when I put it in, the site came back with “bad request/invalid hostname”. So, is there any other way that I can get on that website? If you know of a way to get on the site, let me know, ok? Thanks!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL

Dianna from Ohio

Posted October 16, 2010 at 1:56 PM

Suzanne: I was just watching YunZi nurse and was wondering if as part of the weaning process, will milk production start to decrease in Bai? I noticed that he is feeding from all 4 nipples, not staying very long at each one… Also… and maybe it’s just Bai’s position, it appears she’s a bit thinner… even though his nursing time is limited, is she losing weight? Thanks! Dianna

Suzanne Hall

Posted October 18, 2010 at 12:52 PM

#214 Dianna from Ohio
Yes, the female loses weight throughout the lactation period! We cannot say how her milk production is progressing, as no one has studied this in pandas. However, in other mammals some decline has been noted as the period of mixed feeding sets in. We can presume that Bai Yun will make less milk as Yun Zi ingests more bamboo, but we aren’t certain.

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